A Special Anti-Cultism Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday sentenced two men to seven years’ imprisonment each for conspiracy and belonging to cultism groups.

The convicts, Moruf Okusanya, 40, and Babatunde Gafar, 33, were convicted on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and belonging to an unlawful society.

The Magistrate, O.L. Oke, while delivering judgement, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants are guilty as charged.

Mr Oke said the evidence presented by the prosecution was tenable, and therefore sentenced Messrs Okusanya and Gafar to seven years each without an option of fine.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on October 23, 2023, at Ikenne Town Hall Area in Ikenne.

Ms Rawlings said the defendants conspired among themselves with others now at large to belong to an unlawful society.

According to her, Mr Okusanya and others now at large conspired to belong to the Eiye Confraternity cult group, while Mr Gafar belonged to the Alora Confraternity cult group.

She further told the court that both defendants and others at large engaged in a fierce cult rivalry fight during an event held at the Ikenne town hall.

“There was an event, Miss Ereke, which was being held at the town hall in Ikenne. A rivalry fight erupted between the groups at the event, which led to fear among residents and disturbed the peace of the community.

“The police received information that there was a rival clash, and upon visiting the scene, some of the group members sighted the police and fled.

“The defendants were arrested, and upon interrogation, they made confessional statements that they both belonged to secret cult groups,” she said.

She said the offences contravened Sections 34, 36, 45(b) and 70 of the Prohibition of Forcible Entry and Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Anti-Violent and Related Offences Law of Ogun State, 2016. 

(NAN)