Court jails two men for belonging to cult groups in Ogun
Two Men Sentenced to Seven Years for Cult Activities in Ogun State
A Special Anti-Cultism Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, has sentenced Moruf Okusanya, 40, and Babatunde Gafar, 33, to seven years in prison each for conspiracy and membership in unlawful societies. The court issued the verdict on Wednesday following a four-count charge against the defendants.
Magistrate O.L. Oke emphasized that the prosecution had established its case beyond a reasonable doubt. During the sentencing, the court ruled out the possibility of a fine for either convicted individual.
The charges stemmed from a violent clash between rival cult groups that occurred on October 23, 2023, at the Ikenne Town Hall, disrupting public activities and posing a threat to community safety. Prosecutor ASP Olaide Rawlings noted that the defendants conspired with others who are currently at large to engage in cult-related activities.
In court, Rawlings identified Okusanya as a member of the Eiye Confraternity and Gafar as part of the Alora Confraternity, citing violations 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.
Magistrate Oke found the evidence provided by the prosecution credible and sufficient for the convictions.
