A 22-year-old boy, identified as Adewale Adenekan, has been sentenced to seven years in prison by an Ogun State Special Cultism Court sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, News About Nigeria reports.
Adenekan was convicted on two counts of conspiracy and membership in an unlawful society and sentenced on Wednesday.
The magistrate, Mr. O.L. Oke, stated that the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty as charged.
He noted that there has been an increase in the occurrence of cult-related clashes in Ogun State and maintained that it is the duty of the court to send a strong message to others.
He further says that Adenekan’s sentencing will serve as a lesson and a warning to others not to commit such an offence.
“There is no doubt that there has been an increase in the occurrence of cult-related clashes in Ogun, and it is the duty of the court to send a strong message to others.
“I hope this will serve as a lesson and warning to others not to commit such an offence. There is no benefit in being a member of any proscribed society,” he stated.
The prosecutor, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, also told the court that the convict committed the offence on November 6, 2023, at Arigbajo in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun.
She stated that the convict had been invited by the police when some of his cult members arrested during a cult clash mentioned Adenekan as one of them.
The prosecutor further disclosed that the convict confessed that he was a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
