Six teenagers docked over alleged cultism

Six teenagers were on Tuesday arraigned before a Yaba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over alleged cultism.

The accused  Lukmon Kuwani, Basit Adeleke, Ganiu Lateef, Festus Micheal and Rasheed Adeniyi, all aged 19, and Olakunle Ademola, 18, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and membership of unlawful society.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Oriabure told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Nov. 8, at 11.00 p.m. at Ayobo in Ipaja, Lagos State.

Oriabure said that the defendants belonged to an unlawful society known as Eiye confraternity.

He alleged that they were assembling with others at large for a monthly meeting scheduled to hold at midnight.

“The Anti cultism Unit received information concerning the meeting and laid an ambush for them,” he said.

ALSO READ: Court sentences parents for selling 2-month-old baby for N300,000

He said that the offences contravened Sections 42 and 411 of the Revised Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 42 prescribes three years’ imprisonment for membership of outlawed societies, while Section 411 prescribes a two-year jail term for conspiracy.

The court admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

Magistrate E.N. Ojuromi said that the sureties must be blood relations of the defendants, gainfully employed and show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Ojuromi adjourned the case to Dec. 18, for mention.

(NAN)