A Special Anti-Cultism Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday sentenced a 34-year-old man,  Damilare Oyero, to 10-year imprisonment for belonging to a secret society.

The Magistrate, O. L. Oke, convicted Oyero on a three-count charge of belonging to an unlawful society, unlawful possession of a wooden axe, and unlawful conduct causing breach of peace.

Mr Oke held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

He said that pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution were tenable.

He sentenced Oyero to seven years in prison for belonging to a secret cult, two years in prison for being armed with a wooden axe, and one year in prison for behaving in an unruly manner.

According to Mr Oke, the sentences will, however, run concurrently.

The magistrate did not give the convict an option of fine.

He held that the jail terms would be served at the Ibara Correctional Centre in Ogun.

“There is no doubt that there has been an increase in the occurrence of cult-related clashes in Ogun, and it is the duty of the court to send a strong message and warning to the people. I hope this will serve as a lesson and warning to others,” the magistrate said.

During the trial, the prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, told the court that Oyero  committed the offences on March 26, 2024, about 6.35 p.m. at Ayomide Petrol Station area, near Iyana Mortuary  in Abeokuta.

According to Ms Rawlings, the Ibara Police Station received a distressed call about a cult clash at Iyana Mortuary.

She said, “Upon the information, a police team visited the scene and found the defendant with a wooden axe at the scene of the fight which led to his arrest. Also, upon his arrest, the defendant made a confessional statement that he was a member of the Eiye confraternity.” 

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 34 and 36 of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism and other Anti Violence Related Matter Law of 2016.

She also said the offences contravened Sections 70 and 80 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.  

(NAN)