No fewer than 12 suspects were on Tuesday remanded over alleged cultism, murder, and unlawful possession of firearms by a Special Anti-Cultism Court sitting at Isabo, Abeokuta.
The defendants are Solomon Shobamowo, 42; Henry Kingsley, 35; Habeeb Olayinka, 26; Akpandara Emmanuel, 23; Dapo Adeola, 31; Adedapo Ogunsanya, 19; and Olakemi Michael, 29.
Also facing charges are Toheeb Saka, 31; Ogunsolu Faruq, 28; Balogun Williams Olamide, 26; Abolade Toheeb, 30; Abdulkareem Ayodele, 25; and Blessing Nonso, 32.
Recall that operatives of the Ogun State Police Command reportedly arrested fourteen suspected members of the Eiye Confraternity at a bush location in Ipara-Remo, Ogun State, on Saturday.
The police spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the suspects, 13 males and one female, were apprehended at about 1:20 a.m. while planning to initiate new members and conspiring to breach the peace through unlawful assembly.
Babaseyi noted that items recovered at the scene included three locally made pistols, 11 live cartridges, four rounds of 9mm Beretta ammunition, criminal charms, confraternity caps, and other items.
Appearing before the court on Tuesday, 12 of the defendants, whose pleas were not taken, were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, unlawful possession of firearms, and membership of the Eiye secret cult.
The Police State Counsel, Solomon Babalola, moved an ex parte application, urging the court to remand the defendants for 60 days at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the state Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Babalola alleged that the defendants, between 2024 and 2025, during a cult rivalry, unlawfully killed Femi Akindele, Kelly Eshare, and Sunday Keshinro.
According to him, the offences contravene Sections 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006, and are punishable under Sections 3, 27(a), 27(b), 34, and 36 of the Prohibition of Forcible Entry and Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Cultism, Kidnapping, and Other Anti-Violent and Related Offences Laws of Ogun State, 2016.
The presiding magistrate, A.S. Soneye, ordered the remand of the 12 defendants at the Oba Correctional Centre and granted bail to the 13th defendant, Blessing Nonso, noting that the offence against her was bailable.
She was admitted to bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, and the case was adjourned until March 24 for mention.
Court remands 12 suspects over alleged cultism, possession of firearms in Ogun
