A 29-year-old man, Tobiloba Ogunbo, is to spend the next seven years in a correctional centre for being a member of a secret cult. Ogunbo was convicted and sentenced accordingly by an Ogun Special Cultism Court in Abeokuta on Friday.
The convict pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, belonging to an unlawful society and behaving in a manner causing a breach of public peace.
The Magistrate, Mr O. L. Oke, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, thus pronouncing the convict guilty as charged.
Oke also said the evidence presented by the prosecution was tenable, sentencing Ogunbo to spend the next seven years in a correctional centre without an option of a fine.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Olaide Rawlings, had told the court that the convict committed the offences on Jan. 19 at about 2.00 p. m. at Sabo area of Abeokuta.
Rawlings said the police received information that Ogunbo with some of his members fought and injured one Mr Anu.
She said on investigating the matter, the convict was arrested, and upon interrogation, he made a confessional statement that he was a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 45(b), 34, 36 and 37 of the Secret Cults Prohibition and Special Provisions Law of Ogun 2016. (NAN)