Girls, 18, man remanded over cultism

An Ile-Ife Magistrate Court in Osun has remanded two teenage girls,  Yemisi Moses, 18, Blessing Damilola, 18, and a man, Adebayo Adegboyega, 25, over alleged membership of a secret society. The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on December 29 around 2p.m. at Orilonise Area, Ile-Ife. Osanyintuyi said […]

An Ile-Ife Magistrate Court in Osun has remanded two teenage girls,  Yemisi Moses, 18, Blessing Damilola, 18, and a man, Adebayo Adegboyega, 25, over alleged membership of a secret society.

The prosecutor, Insp Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on December 29 around 2p.m. at Orilonise Area, Ile-Ife.

Osanyintuyi said the defendants unlawfully belonged to a secret society, called Eiye Confraternity, while also disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of Ile-Ife.

He added that the defendants also had in their possession substance suspected to be Indian hemp weighing 20kg, which they were allegedly selling. According to him, the defendants conducted themselves in a manner that may cause breach of public peace.

The prosecutor stated further that the offence contravened sections 3, 4, 62(A), 63(B) and 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of possession of Indian hemp, membership of secret society and breach of public peace.

The defence counsel, Mr Ben Adidieje, applied for bail of his clients in most liberal terms, giving assurance that they would not jump bail, but would provide substantial sureties.

The magistrate, Mr Joseph Owolawi, however, refused them bail, but ordered for their remand in Ilesa Correctional Centre, pending the rule on bail.

Owolawi adjourned the case until January 7, 2020 for hearing. (NAN)