10 Suspected cultist ducked for murder,theft

– Ten suspected cult members were on Thursday hauled up before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged conspiracy, murder and theft.
The accused are — Azeez Akintunde, 28; Akeem Adebayo, 31; Akeem Abudu, 31; Kamoru Adeniyi, 35; Rasheed Ambali, 32; and Notik Awotugashe, 23.
Others include: Jamiu Sule, 25; Gbenga Adebanjo, 26; Akinsoye Solanke, 27; and Yusuf Ayoola, 28.
Akintunde, in addition to a charge of murder, is being tried for conspiracy and running an unlawful society.
Adebayo, Abudu, Adeniyi, Ambali, Awotugashe, Sule, Adebanjo and Solanke are charged with conspiracy, managing an unlawful society and unlawful assembly.
Ayoola is facing charges of conspiracy, stealing and willful damage to property alongside Ambali.
The prosecutor, ASP Charles Odii told the court that the suspected cultists with others still at large committed the offences on Dec. 27, 2012 at Imota near Ikorodu.
He said Akintunde, who is a member of an unlawful society known as the Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), shot and killed one Mr Saka Abudu during an argument.
According to the prosecutor, Adebayo, Abudu, Adeniyi, Ambali, Awotugashe, Sule, Adebanjo and Solanke belonged to another secret society known as the “Eiye” cult.
He said the accused also took part in an unlawful assembly of the cult at Ikorodu which caused great fear and panic among residents.
Odii added that Ambali and Ayoola went on a looting spree and stole a laptop and a home theatre, both valued at N295,000, property of one Mr John Aimofumen.
He said that Ambali and Ayoola also unlawfully and willfully damaged Aimofumen’s plasma TV, refrigerator and generator.
He told the court that the value of the vandalised property was N475,000.
Odii said the offences contravened Sections 41, 44(4), 221, 285 (5),(a), 348 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The plea of Akintunde was not taken while the nine others pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs O. Olanipekun, ordered that Akintunde should be remanded for 30 days in prison custody pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
She granted Adebayo, Abudu, Adeniyi, Awotugashe, Sule, Adebanjo and Solanke bail of N250,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Ambali and Ayoola were granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.
Olanipekun adjourned the case to July 11 for mention. (NAN)