Three suspected cultists, who allegedly terrorised their neighbourhood with cutlasses and an axe, were on Thursday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The defendants are Ibrahim Suleiman, 35; Azeez Sunday, 29, and Biodun Ola, 23.
They are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful display of arms.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on Feb. 23, at Magbon Alade area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
She told the court that the defendants and some others at large belonged to an unlawful society popularly called “Aiye confraternity”.
Olaluwoye said that the defendants were arrested during a meeting of the unlawful society.
“My lord, the Lagos Anti-Cult Unit got information of the meeting; it was during the raid that the defendants were arrested.
“Some other men, who were also in attendance, however, escaped.
“Two cutlasses and an axe were recovered from the defendants,” she said.
According to her, the offences contravene Sections 412 and 51 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the offences attract a two-year jail term.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, and were granted a bail of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
Chief Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and possess evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Oghere adjourned the case until June 26 for mention.
