Three men, identified as Wasiu Okanlawon 36, Kehinde Kareem 34, and Hammed Olatunji 42, were on Monday arraigned before a Lagos State Magistrate Court in Ebute-Metta on charges related to alleged cult activities in Mushin.
The trio, alleged members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity, are facing four counts, bordering on conspiracy, grievous harm, causing public panic, and belonging to an unlawful society.
The police prosecutor, Superintendent Jimoh Joseph, told the court that the defendants, along with others still at large, were involved in activities that led to chaos in the Mushin area.
“The defendants conspired to commit these crimes, and their actions have caused significant distress in the community,” Joseph told the court.
He said the incident reportedly occurred at about 8:pm, on the evening of August 5, 2024, at the Cardoso Street, Olosha, Mushin area of the state, where the men were said to have inflicted serious injuries on a resident, identified as Rilwan, using machetes and other dangerous weapons.
“The victim sustained severe wounds and is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital,” the prosecutor added.
Joseph also informed the court that the accused men played active roles in managing and assisting the unlawful society, Aiye Confraternity. “Their involvement in this cult has been a menace to the community,” he stated.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed by the defendants contravened Sections 406, 411, 245, 42(a), and 41 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, against them.
Magistrate Waliu Salami, who presided over the case, granted them bail of N50,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
“One of the sureties must be a blood relation, provide proof of livelihood, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State government, and have their addresses verified,” Salami ruled.
The case has been adjourned until September 25, 2024, for mention.
