AN Ebute-Meta Magistrate Court, Yaba, has ordered the remand of four alleged notorious cultists said to be terrorizing the Ginti Community, in Ijede, Ikorodu in a correctional facility.
The alleged cult members, alleged to be the foot soldiers of one Nofiu Abiodun Kasumu (popularly known as Adele of Oke-Eletu), include Balogun Tola, also known as 50 Cent; Tunde Oladipupo, Ridwan Rasaq and Abimbola Aro.
The suspects were arraigned on Friday, 16 February 2024 at the Ebute-Meta Magistrate Court on an eight-count charge of conspiring to commit felony to wit: armed robbery, unlawful possession of arms, assault occasioning harm and unlawful interference and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State, amongst others.
The suspects, who pleaded not guilty to all the count charges brought against them, were refused bail by the magistrate, who however ordered their remand in a correctional facility until the next adjournment date in March 2024.
The suspects had earlier been paraded at the Lagos State Police Command by the State Police Commissioner a few days after their arrest in Ikorodu.
It was gathered that on interrogation by the police, Balogun Tola Kasumu (popularly known as 50 Cent), as well as the No. 1 of Eiye Confraternity, in his confessional statement, alleged that they (the suspects) were landgrabbers and foot soldiers of Nofiu Abiodun Kasumu, the Adele of Oke-Eletu Town, Ijede.
Mr Kasumu has yet to honour police invitation over the allegations brought against him. He is alleged to be on the run.
Other counts brought against the suspects include:
- Members of an unlawful society known as Eiye Confraternity, use of firearms or an offensive weapon to the extent of inflicting bodily injury or maiming other persons within the neighbourhood and thereby commit an offence punishable under Section 9 (2)a, b, 3, and being members of unlawful societies contrary to cultism law of Lagos State 2021.
- Buying and/or receiving arms in their possession, and inability to give a satisfactory account of one Remington model rifle with 7.62mm ammunition, 68 rounds of live ammunition, one pump action gun with 68 rounds of live cartridges, one locally made pistol, one berreta pistol and magazine, 4 battle axes, 3 daggers, 5 machetes, one police camouflage hat, PoS machine, one criminal face mask and other accoutrement use in their unlawful operations and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 330 d of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State 2015.
- Macheted one Kabiru Ogidi “M” on the forehead which caused him grievous bodily harm and robbed him of his personal belongings thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 297 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.
- Matcheted one Ikuforiji Collins Olawale Ola “M” on the forehead which caused him grievous bodily harm and robbed him of his personal belongings and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 297 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.
- Matcheted one Shakiru Taiwo Ogidi “M” on the forehead which caused him grievous bodily harm and robbed him of his personal belongings and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 297 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State, amongst others.
Eighteen-Eleven Media