A 34-year-old cultist, Damilare Oyero, resident of Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on Wednesday by a Special Anti Cultism Court sitting in Abeokuta.
Penpushing reports that the Magistrate, Mr O. L. Oke, convicted Oyero on a three-count charge of belonging to an unlawful society, unlawful possession of a wooden axe, and unlawfull conduct causing breach of peace.
The court held that prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, emphasizing that all pieces of evidence presented by prosecution were tenable, and thereafter sentenced Oyero without option of fine.
Penpushing further reports that Oyero bagged seven years for belonging to a secret cult, two years having been found armed with a wooden axe, and one year for behaving in an unruly manner, while the sentences will run concurrently.
The magistrate declared that the convict is to serve the jail terms at the Oba Correctional Centre, while noting that the sentence will send a strong warning to others venturing into criminal activities.
“There is no doubt that there has been an increase in the occurrence of cult-related clashes in Ogun, and it is the duty of the court to send a strong message and warning to the people.I hope this will serve as a lesson and warning to others” the magistrate added.
Penpushing also reports that earlier during the trial the prosecutor, Insp Olaide Rawlings, told the court that Oyero committed the offences on March 26, 2024, about 6.35 p.m. at Ayomide Petrol Station area, near Iyana Mortuary in Abeokuta.
The prosecutor added that Police Headquarters in Ibara, Abeokuta received a distressed call about a cult clash occuring at Iyana Mortuary, explaining that upon information the police swooped into action where the convict was found with wooden axe which led to his arrest.
“Upon the information, a police team visited the scene and found the defendant with a wooden axe at the scene of the fight which led to his arrest. Also, upon his arrest, the defendant made a confessional statement that he was a member of the Eiye confraternity,” she said.
Penpushing reports that Rawlings added that the offences contravened Sections 34 and 36 of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism and other Anti Violence Related Matter Law of 2016, as well as contravened Sections 70 and 80 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
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