The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cultism

  • Student gets 10 years for alleged cultism

    A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, has sentenced a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Fatai Olasile, to 10 years’ imprisonment for alleged cultism.

    He was also awarded a fine of N50,000.

    Olasile was arraigned on a two-count charge of membership of Eiye Confraternity, contrary to Section 2 of the Secret Cult and Secret Societies Law of Kwara State.

    He was also sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a locally-made pistol, an offence punishable under Section 3 (1) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, 2004.

    The prosecution, led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kamaldeen Ajibade, called three witnesses and tendered exhibits to prove its case.

    Another person, Mohammed Kehinde, and two others were arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, initiation of new members into secret cult and membership of secret cult.

    After a careful analysis of the case and the evidence presented by the prosecution, led by Ajibade, Justice Oyinloye found the first and second accused guilty and sentenced them to 10 years each with a fine of N50,000.

    The third accused was discharged and acquitted.

    Also, on November 3, a middle-aged man, Rasheed Abiola, and one other, were arraigned before Justice I. A. Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court on a two-count charge of membership of secret cult and illegal possession of firearms.

    Justice Yusuf found the first accused guilty of illegal possession of firearms and sentenced him to four years.

    He was, however, discharged for cultism.

    The second accused was discharged and acquitted of both offences.

  • 10 suspects arraigned for cultism

    10 suspects arraigned for cultism

    The police yesterday arraigned 10 men before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged involvement in cult activities.

    Sylvester Bibra, 34 , Ahmed Ayobami, 21, Michael Orjinta, 20, Dickson Inyene, 25,  Godfrey John, 24, Lekan Adekoya, 21, Udeme Samuel, 24, Azeez  Salabiu, 22, Femi Damilola, 21 and Rafiu Olalekan, 18, were alleged to be members of an unlawful society, Aiye confraternity, at Ikota, Ajah, Lagos.

    They are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, belonging and managing a secret cult and conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.

    Prosecuting Inspector Chinalu Nadine said the accused with others still at large, committed the offence on March 17  around 7pm at Ikota in Ajah.

    They pleaded not guilty.

    Defence Counsel Saka Oladele, pleaded with the court to grant the accused bail on liberal terms.

    “The charges of cultism were false as all the accused were raided from different places, they don’t know each other,” he said.

    Magistrate A.T. Idowu granted all the accused N50,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She adjourned till for October 26.

  • Four held for alleged murder, cultism

    An ex-policeman and three others, who are charged with murder and membership of a cult, are to be remanded in prison pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a court ruled yesterday.

    An Ebute-Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court said the accused – ex-policeman Collins Idon, 42, Ifeanyi Dumbi, 26, Francis Asuquo, 21, and Sunday Jimoh, 23 – should remain in Ikoyi Prisons until the next date of adjournment for the DPP’s advice.

    The quartet are facing a four-count charge of unlawful society membership and the killing of a 20-year-old, Joseph Ugbeni.

    Prosecuting Inspector Daniel Ighodalo said Idon had on September 19 at Iba, shot Ugbeni on the head, killing him immediately.

    He also told the court that Dumbi, Asuquo and Jimoh belonged to and managed an unlawful society known as “Eiye Confraternity” that was notorious for disturbing the peace of the neighbourhood.

    Chief Magistrate Abimbola Awogboro adjourned the case till November 10.

  • Barber held for ‘cultism’

    Barber held for ‘cultism’

    A 20-year-old barber, Dada Mogaji, yesterday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for alleged involvement in cult activities.

    Mogaji, who hails from Ladega in Ikorodu, was alleged to be a member of an unlawful society, Aiye confraternity, at Solomade Street, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    He is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, belonging and managing a secret cult and conducting himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.

    Prosecuting Inspector Julius Babatope said the accused with others still at large committed the offence on July 17 around 9.15pm at Solomade Street, Ikorodu.

    “The police had been on the trail of the accused and was apprehended and identified with the various tattoo of the Aiye symbol on his hands,” he said.

    It was learnt that the defendant had tattoo branded “blessing 99” on his right hand.

    The defendant, who dropped out at Junior Secondary School (JSS) II, was said to have been initiated by three men at a cemetery in Igbogbo, Ikorodu.

    Mogaji pleaded not guilty.

    His counsel, Spurgeon Ataene, pleaded with the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

    Magistrate Helen Omisore granted him N200, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum. One of the sureties must be his relative.

    She adjourned till for October 19.

  • Bayelsa: Police arrest 106, arraign 58 for cultism

    Bayelsa: Police arrest 106, arraign 58 for cultism

    Some parents and guardians in Bayelsa State kicked, at the weekend, following the mass arrest of 106 youths including minors by the police for cultism.

    The police further caused controversy by their decision to arraign 58 of the suspects at the state High Court on two-count of conspiracy and membership of cult groups.

    The suspects including four minors were rounded up when a police squad raided some black spots in the capital city, Yenagoa.

    The court presided over by Justice Naiyi Aganaba, was however, said to have granted bails to the accused persons and asked them to show proofs of innocence and non-membership of the cults.

    As part of conditions for their bails, the court reportedly asked them to provide N100,000 each, sureties who must be senior civil servants from grade level seven and resident in Yenagoa.

    Justice Aganaba, adjourned the case to October, 20, 2016.

    But angry parents of the arraigned suspects protested outside the court premises, accusing the police of illegal arrest of innocent people.

    A parent, who identified himself as Kelvin, said his son was arrested few metres away from their home while on errand to buy a loaf of bread.

    “When I accosted the policemen after I heard my son scream for help, the police threatened to shoot me dead. They asked me what my son was doing outside after 8pm”, he said.

    Another woman, who claimed to be wife to one of the suspects, said his husband was arrested few minutes after their newborn’s dedication at home.

    He said: “He was accompanying a guest who attended the dedication event to the bus stop when he was arrested.

    “All pleas and explanations we made to the police fell on deaf ears. How do I bail him when we just spent money on hospital bill for the new baby’s delivery and dedication?”

    Also some members of the the Hausa community in Yenagoa, who joined the protest said over 32 Hausa persons were among the suspects arrested by the police.

    They said 12 of them including four minors were among the persons brought to the court.

    “Most of them were operators of commercial tricycles known as Keke Napep”, they said.

  • ‘Skills acquisition among youths’ll curb cultism’

    A House of Representatives member of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Wale Raji, has said acquisition of skills and youth empowerment will reduce cultism and other social vices.

    Raji, who is representing Epe, addressed reporters yesterday in Lagos on his plan to ensure that youths in his constituency get the requisite skills and empowerment to take many of them from the streets.

    The lawmaker said his Youth Empowering Scheme, in partnership with the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), had been training about 300 youths in his constituency.

    Raji said the participants would be given tools in their areas of skills and empowerment to be self-sufficient.

    He said: “Nobody can make them rich but an opportunity can be created for them to acquire vocational skills that will always put food on their table and make them financially independent. About 129 participants will soon graduate and the rest will be assisted to upgrade their businesses.”

  • Students rally against cultism

    Students rally against cultism

    Students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM) in Benue State, have held a rally to denounce cultism in the school. This followed a bloody clash that left five students dead, reports DAMSA AHANGBA (400-Level Physics Education).

    IT happened barely three weeks after students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), returned for the second semester. Five students were killed in a cult clash. The school was shut for 21 days.

    As they returned to school last week, one issue topped their minds: how to eradicate cultism.

    On Thursday, over 2,000 students converged on the Aluta Square on the main campus for a campaign against cultism.

    At the event organised by the Students’Union Government (SUG),  its President, Sughnen Ichin, led a procession of the students round the campus, chanting various anti-cultism songs. Some held placards with inscriptions, such as: “Shun cultism and focus on academic excellence”, “Cultism kills dreams and future”, “Cultism is a crime against humanity”, and “Good students don’t kill, they read for excellence”, among others.

    The following day, the SUG held a lecture at James Ayatse Convocation Arena. The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Emmanuel Kucha, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Prof Richard Kimbir, led the school workers to the event.

    He said the management remained committed to fighting cultism, describing the cult clashes as unfortunate. He urged students not to join any unlawful groups, reminding them that any one caught would be expelled and prosecuted.

    Ichin regretted that cultism was becoming synonymous with the institution, noting that the union would mobilise ‘peace-loving students’ agianst cult groups.

    He said: “It is unfortunate we have lost many of our mates to the deadly activities of these cult groups. As students, we have come to acquire knowledge and not to kill ourselves. The students’union will ensure cultists find the school hostile to their activities.”

    Special Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom on Student Affairs, Comrade Jabi Abraham Zahemen, described cult killings as “barbaric” and “immoral”, pledging the government’s readiness to curb the menace in schools. Jabi administered denunciation oaths on the students.

    In his lecture titled:Cultism and its effect on the youths, Dr A. D. Obinne of the Department of Education Foundation and General Studies said the quest for materialism influenced cultism on campuses, noting that many students joined cult groups as a result of peer pressure and fear.

    According to Obinne, fraternities were founded to fight the students. She said dullards and criminals introduced violence to the idea of confraternities. She called for reawakening, urging stakeholders to introduce new approach in stemming the tide of cultism on campuses.

    Martins Mkom, a 200-Level Fisheries and Aquaculture student, decried cult activities in the school, saying: “It is saddening to lose colleagues in needless gang war. We suffer collectively whenever such incident happens, because academic calendar is distorted.”

    A drama and dance were performed by Youth With A Purpose (Y-WAP) group, depicting the negative impact of cultism on students.

    Chia Denen, a 400-Level Mathematics and Computer Science student, said: “Given the turnout for this campaign, I have no doubt that the war on cultism will be won.”

    Dean of Students’Affairs, Prof Olusegun Adeyemo, urged students to read their handbook, adding that any student caught in cultism would be dealt with.

  • 38 students renounce cultism at UNIZIK

    Thirty EIGHT students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, have renounced cultism. They took the step, at a cult Renunciation Ceremony held at the College of Health Services in Okofia, Nnewi.

    Last year, over 60 students renounced their membership of secret cults at a similar ceremony.

    Speaking at an interdenominational service to commemorate the event, Very Reverend Obay enjoined members of the university community to shun secret cultism, saying its disadvantages were far more than its benefit.

    The cleric identified peer pressure as reason youths join secret society, advising parents to be mindful of the type of companies their children keep in order not to be lured into ungodly clubs.

    Rev Obay advised students to shun vices that could mar their purpose in the university, urging them to submit their daily activities to God.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Joseph Ahaneku praised the clerics who graced the event, saying their attendance showed their commitment to the university’s progress. He said the event was a spiritual cleansing, urging students to report any form of intimidation by lecturers or their colleagues to the authorities.

    Highpoint was the presentation of the students who publicly renounced cultism to the congregation.

    At the event were the Registrar, Dr Hyacinth Isidienu; the College provost, Prof Nwafor, wife of the VC, Dr Gladys Ahaneku and other members of the university community.

  • Dickson inaugurates committee to tackle cultism 

    Dickson inaugurates committee to tackle cultism 

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has constituted a Students’ Management Committee to tackle cultism and other student-related issues in the state.

    A statement signed by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said Tuesday that the committee which was inaugurated in Yenagoa, the state capital, was chaired by Ebipatei Apaingolo.

    Members of the committee are Evans Baribote, Eteli Tuanam, Atti Moses, Maxwell Obesi and Miss Imoemi Tombofa.

    Others are Ipogi Tony, Oweifie Success, Fortune Jack, Jeremiah Owoupele, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on NYSC, Suoyo Appah and Tari Pori.

    The governor asked the committee to collaborate with other youth bodies in the state, to manage the affairs of students and check acts of cultism and other forms of criminality among the youths.

    Dickson charged members of the committee to sensitize students on the prevailing national economic challenges and their spillover effects on the state.

    He said it was imperative to include the student body into the activities of the government to enable students be abreast of the political and socio-economic issues.

    He said: “We need to work together and manage our processes of government and the way we carry out our collective businesses so that our society can get out of this crisis.

    “I want a situation where students and the youth population in general are not misinformed. As future leaders, l want them to understand the real issues that government and other leaders have to deal with.

    “I want a situation where the young people in this state the basis upon which political service must stand. For us, political service must mean an opportunity to serve our society first and one’s self the least.

    “But the reverse is the case. But it is not their fault. It is as a result of faulty foundation and that is why our government is solving foundation problems on a daily basis since we came on board.”

  • Ambode charges community leaders to address menace of cultism

    Ambode charges community leaders to address menace of cultism

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday continued the ongoing statewide commissioning of projects to mark his one year in office, just as he charged royal fathers, traditional chiefs and Community Development Associations (CDC) to address the menace of cultism and hoodlums for peace to thrive.

    Governor Ambode, who spoke in Surulere while commissioning a block of 18 classrooms with modern facilities at Lagos Progressive Senior High School and newly upgraded 900 meters Adekunle Kuye Link Road with covered drains, walkways and street light, urged the community leaders to compliment the effort of his administration to massively develop the State by promoting peace and clean environment at all times.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Transportation, Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi, assured the people that his administration was committed to a safe, secure and clean community, but people must be security-conscious at all times.

    In her welcome address, Executive Secretary of Surulere Local Government, Mrs. Hussein Bamidele thanked Governor Ambode for the projects, saying they would go a long way in boosting the education the students and ease movement in the area.

    Also, a community leader and former Chairman of Coker Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Chief Mrs Omobolanle Adetutu-Akinyemi said the projects would impact positively on the residents of the area, and commended the Governor for the projects.

    On his part, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Surulere Constituency 1, Desmond Elliot said the projects confirmed the importance attached to education and economic development of the area by the Governor.

    In Lagos Island, Governor Ambode commissioned the newly rehabilitated Olowogbowo Primary Health Centre (PHC) and network of roads in chain of projects being handed over to the public ahead to mark his one year anniversary.

    The road network covers Savage and Onitolo Streets, all in Lagos Island. They will facilitate easy movement of people around the area.

    The health facility located within the Apongbon precinct was upgraded to function for 24 hours with modern equipment, maternity centre and Tuberculosis Treatment centre.

    Speaking through Benjamin Olabinjo, his Special Adviser on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, at the commissioning, the Governor said the projects represented the fulfillment of his campaign promise to run an all inclusive government where every part of Lagos will feel a sense of belonging.

    He said that his administration was supporting the 37 Local Council Development Areas and the 20 Local Governments in the state to build 114 roads and 90 percent of state government’s counterpart funding for the project had been released.

    The Governor also disclosed that a reform initiated by his government within the local government system in the state was already yielding positive results.

    Ambode, who urged the people to take ownership of government’s projects within their locality, also charged them to continue to support the state government by paying their taxes.

    In Mushin Local Government, the Governor also commissioned a Block of 18 classrooms with modern facilities at Oduduwa Senior Secondary School, Mushin.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, the Governor urged residents to always cooperate with the government both at the local and state levels, to allow dividends of democracy reach them as promised by his government, especially while canvassing their support during the electioneering campaign.

    In his remark, the Honourable representing Mushin Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sobru Olawale Layiwola, commended Governor Ambode for his strides within eleven months of his administration, especially in the area of road construction and street lighting across the metropolis.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Executive Secretary of Mushin Local Government, Mr. Jide Bello, lauded Governor Ambode especially for his leadership style which has given governance a human face and brought it closer to the people.

    The Governor also commissioned various projects in Ikeja Local Government, Onigbongbo and Ojodu Local Council Development Areas in continuation of his quest to transform the State.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, the Governor commissioned 250metres Bisi Ogabi Street with drainage, Solar Powered Street Lights and Customized Letter Boxes.

    At Onigbongbo LCDA, Governor Ambode also commissioned the upgrading of Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Access road to Lagos Homes, Ilupeju.

    In Ojodu LCDA, the Governor commissioned the construction and rehabilitation of 12 blocks of classrooms at Oke-Ira Primary School, Construction of Irepodun and Otunla Street/roads also in Oke-Ira.