Court jails two men for belonging to cult groups in Ogun

A Special Anti-Cultism Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has sentenced two men to seven years’ imprisonment each for conspiracy and membership of unlawful societies.

The convicts, Moruf Okusanya, 40, and Babatunde Gafar, 33, were convicted on Wednesday on a four-count charge.

The court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate O.L. Oke sentenced both men to seven years each without an option of a fine.

DAILY POST gathered that Okusanya and Gafar were arrested during a violent cult clash at the Ikenne Town Hall.

The prosecutor, ASP Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the offences were committed on October 23, 2023.

Rawlings said the defendants conspired with others now at large to belong to an unlawful society.

According to her, Okusanya is a member of the Eiye Confraternity, while Gafar belongs to the Alora Confraternity.

She said the acts violated Sections 34, 36, 45(b) and 70 of the Prohibition of Forcible Entry and Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Anti-Violent and Related Offences Law of Ogun State, 2016.

The prosecutor told the court that the clash disrupted activities at the town hall and threatened public peace.

Magistrate Oke said the evidence presented by the prosecution was credible and sufficient to warrant conviction.