Four men face trial for allegedly being members of unlawful society

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned four men before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly being members of an unlawful society.

The men: Olanrewaju Ibrahim, 24; Michael Oluwaseun, 28; Adedokun Jelili, 24; and Ashimi Sadiq, 22, were also alleged to be in possession of illegal firearms when they were arrested.

The defendants are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy and felony to wit possession of firearms.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Adegeshin Famuyiwa told the court that the defendants committed the offences sometime in 2018 at Igbo-Olomu area of Ikorodu.

Famuyiwa said that the defendants joined `Aiye’ secret cult, also known as Black Axe, as its members knowing same to be an unlawful society.

Furthermore, she said that the police discovered that the defendants had in their possession a cut-to-size-locally-made pistol, one axe and a knife when they were arrested.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 411, 42(a) and 312 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

That Section 411 stipulates two years’ jail term for conspiracy.

The magistrate, Mr E.O. Ogunkanmi, thereafter, admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.

The court then adjourned the case until Feb. 20 for mention.