22-Year-Old Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Cult Membership in Ogun State

In a decisive move against cult-related activities, an Ogun State Special Cultism Court in Abeokuta sentenced 22-year-old Adewale Adenekan to seven years in prison for belonging to a secret society.

Adenekan, a resident of No. 3, Olaoluwa Close, Arigbanla Arigbajo in the Ifo area of the state, was convicted on two counts of conspiracy and membership of an unlawful society.

Magistrate Mr. O.L. Oke, presiding over the case, declared that the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty as charged. He found the evidence presented by the prosecution to be credible and sentenced Adenekan to seven years in prison without the option of a fine.

Expressing concern over the rising occurrences of cult-related clashes in Ogun State, Magistrate Oke emphasized the court’s duty to send a strong message to deter others from engaging in such activities. He underscored the futility of belonging to proscribed societies and hoped the verdict would serve as a lesson and warning to potential offenders.

According to Inspector Olaide Rawlings, the prosecutor, Adenekan committed the offence on November 6, 2023, at Arigbajo in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun. He was implicated by his cult members who were arrested during a clash.

Rawlings revealed that the convict confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity, contravening Section 45(b) and 35(b) of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Property, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism, and other Anti-Violence Related Matters Law of 2016.

In response to the escalating cult-related violence, the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remo land, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, announced an amnesty deal for repentant cultists in Sagamu. As part of the initiative, 48 members of various cult groups, mainly Eiye Confraternity and Aiye, renounced their membership and surrendered illegal firearms to the police for confiscation.