Court Remands 23 Cultists In Osun

Court Remands 23 Cultists In Osun

 An Osun State Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo on Monday remanded 23 cult members of the Eiye and Aiye Confraternity in Ilesa prison custody over alleged breach of public peace and possession of Indian Hemp known as Cannibis Sativa .

The Defendants include Abidemi Rapheal, (35), Omotosho Sunday, (21), Fatai Adeyemi, (35), Lekan Kolapo, (19), Ajetunmobi Jamiu ,(18), Saqiq Adebayo (19), Ayodele Tosin, (29), Oke Gbenga (25), Balogun Ayodeji, (18).

Others include Ogunsile Lekan, (18), Lateef Quadri ,(18), Pele Kehinde ,(42), Olaoye Kayode ,(24), Ajibade Tosinloba, (18), Taofeeq Lamidi, (35), Saheed Adedeji, (34),Wasiu Adeniyi, (27), Rasak Fadulilah, (23), Oderinwale Kabiru,(30), Nweke Emmanuel, (21), Agbom Sunday ,(22), Sefiu Muhammed, (22), and WasiuOyedeji, (22).

They all pleaded not guilty to the four- count charge preferred against them after they had agreed to be tried by the court.

The Magistrate, Mrs Rofiat Olayemi denied the defendants bail and ordered that they be remanded in Ilesa prison due to security challenges rocking the state.

Magistrate Olayemi had informed counsels to the accused persons that the alleged offences of the defendants were bailable but she said she would deny them bail because their release might hamper the peace of the state.

Olayemi said she was aware of the recent attacks by some suspected thugs in the state and the shootings that accompanied their clashes saying that it was disturbing and needed to be curbed.

The Police Prosecutor, John Idoko, an Assistant Superintendent of Police told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 13, at about 8:30 pm , along Old Garage opposite Freedom Park , Osogbo.

Idoko said the defendants who are alleged members of Eiye and Aiye secret Confraternity conspired among themselves to breach the peace of the state and were also found with Indian Hemp popularly known as Cannibis Sativa.

He said the offence committed contravened sections 430 (a)(b), 249(d), 516(1)A, and 64 (a) of the criminal code cap 34 vol. 11 ,laws of Osun, 2003.

Their lead Counsel, Mrs Teju Kolawole had wanted to apply for an oral bail application but Magistrate Olayemi interrupted her and said she would not release them on bail notwithstanding that their offences were entitled to bail.

Olayemi maintained that releasing the accused persons on bail would jeopardise the efforts of the security agencies to restore peace to the state.

The Magistrate, however, said she would adjourn to a short date and that counsels to the accused persons would still apply for their bails orally as she adjourned till June 24, 2019 for bail applications.