The Police in the State of Osun, on Wednesday, arraigned a 32-year-old suspected cultist, Olamide Atoyebi, before a Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo, the state capital for alleged cultism and illegal possession of firearms.
Atoyebi, a bricklayer by profession, was arrested by a team of combined policemen led by SP Lukman Afolabi of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the state police command, under the leadership of CSP Gabriel Oluwasesin.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Fatoba T., Atoyebi and others, now at large, on the 27th of July, 2022, at Agunbelewo area of Osogbo, committed a felony in unlawful possession of firearms and cartridges, which is an offence punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002.
The suspect, arraigned for five counts, also engaged in an unlawful society of, “Aiye Confraternity,” unleashing terror in Osogbo and its environs in the process, causing palpable fear and breach of peace.
The charge sheet reveals, “That you ATOYEBI OLAMIDE ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date. time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did found in your possession one locally made cut to size single barrel and thereby committed an offence – contrary to section 4 and punishable under section 27(1) b (1) of the Firearms Act Cap f.28 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2004.
“That you ATOYEBI OLAMIDE ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did Unlawfully have in your possession two live cartridges which you could not give satisfactory account and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 4 and punishable under section 27(1) b (1) of the Firearms Act Cap f.28 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2004.
“That you ATOYEBI OLAMIDE ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did engage yourselves in Unlawful society known as ” Aiye Confraternity” and unleashed terror in Osogbo and its environs and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 64 of the Code Cap 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun state of Nigeria, 2002.
“That you ATOYEBI OLAMIDE ‘M’ and others now at large on the same date. time, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District, did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of Public Peace thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol. II Laws of Osun state of Nigeria 2002.”
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the five counts.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr. Olatunbosun Oladipupo, submitted an oral bail application, which was not granted by the court.
In his ruling, Magistrate A.A. Adeyeba ordered the remand of Atoyebi in correctional facility. He also adjourned the case till September 2nd, 2022, when a formal bail application for the defendant will be heard.
