By Agbafo Ijeoma
Three men, Segun Ahmed, Adegbite Afeez and Kazeem Babatunde, have appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged membership of an unlawful society.
The defendants, aged 38, 33 and 43 respectively, were arraigned before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and membership of an unlawful society.
The prosecutor, Mrs Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendants and others still at large allegedly committed the offences on Aug. 8 at about 10:30 a.m. at Salami Bashorun Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere.
Ikhayere alleged that the three men were members of the Eiye Confraternity, which is proscribed as an unlawful society under Lagos State law.
She said the alleged offences contravened relevant provisions of the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021, and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their pleas, the magistrate granted each of them bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum. Magistrate Owolabi adjourned the case until Oct. 16 for further proceedings.
The allegations against the defendants have not been established in court, and the prosecution is expected to present its case as proceedings continue.
