The Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun, has arraigned a total of 22 suspects at the Akure Magistrates’ Court over alleged involvement in cult violence in Owo.
The accused were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy and belonging to an unlawful society.
The accused include, Adebowale Opeyemi, Monday Abiodun, Johnson Bidemi, Oladugba Emmanuel, Ismael Suliaman, Samson Salau, Ogundele Olarewanju, Promise Ayomide, Okeowo Abiodun, Sule Ojo, and Olaniyi Marvelous.
Others are: Opeyemi Arohunmolase, Olatokun Kehinde, Seun Ogunleye, Balogun Imole, Ibrahim Waheed, Sheu Oluwaseun, Kareem Odunayo, Ijalana Oluwole, Emmanuel Destiny, Adebayo Daniel, Temitope Oluwatodimu
According to the state prosecutor, O.F Akeredolu, while informing the Court that the accused and others at large conspired to commit felonious offences, which include illegal possession of firearms and cultism, on or about February 17, 2025, at Owo, Owo Local Government area of Ondo State.
Akeredolu told the court that the accused were suspected to be members of unlawful societies and had in their possession a gun without a license.
He said the accused, at the same time, day and place, riotously assembled themselves and acted in a manner that disturbed the peace of the community.
He said the offence contravenes Sections 516 (A),62(2), 64 and 69, as well as Section 27(1)(a)(I) of the Firearm Act, Cap F28 LFN, 2004.
The charges were read to all the 22 accused who pleaded not guilty, while their counsel prayed the court to grant the accused bail on the ground that the offenses committed were bailable.
Akeredolu, however, did not oppose the bail application but urged the court to remand the defendants to a correctional centre pending the satisfaction of their bail conditions.
Magistrate Damilola Sekoni granted each of the accused bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum and ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to the Ondo government.
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The magistrate also ordered the defendants to swear to an affidavit for the renouncement of their membership and ordered that they should be remanded at the correctional centre, pending the time they would meet their bail condition.
He adjourned the case till April 17 2025, for mention.
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