Court sentences man to seven years in prison for cultism

An Ogun special cultism court sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, has sentenced Sodiq Okeowo, a 24-year-old man, to seven years in prison for belonging to a secret cult.

Okeowo was convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy and belonging to an unlawful society.

O.O. Adebo, the magistrate, said the prosecution proved her case beyond any reasonable doubt, noting that the defendant was guilty as charged.

Adebo sentenced Okeowo to five years for the first count of conspiracy and seven years for belonging to a secret cult.

She also gave the sentence without an option of fine, adding that the terms of the sentence should run concurrently.

Olaide Rawlings, the prosecutor, told the court that the defendant committed the offenses on January 15 at the Sabo area in the Sagamu LGA of the state.

Rawlings said the defendant made a confessional statement that he was a member of the Eiye confraternity secret cult and was initiated by one Azeez.

“He said he was initiated when he was in serious need of accommodation and had no choice than to join because they promised to get him free accommodation,” she said.

The prosecutor said the offense contravened section 34 of the Secret Cults Prohibition and Special Provisions Law of Ogun.

In September, the court sentenced one Tobiloba Ogunbo, a cultist, to seven years in prison.

O. L. Oke, the presiding judge, convicted the 29-year-old man for being a member of a secret cult and causing a breach of public peace.