A Special Anti-Cultism Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Afeeze Ishola, to seven years in prison for being a member of the Eiye Confraternity cult group.
Ishola, who lived on Otitoloju Street, Mile 2, along Ayetoro Road, Abeokuta, was convicted on Friday on a one-count charge of belonging to an unlawful society.
During the trial, Prosecutor Inspector Olaide Rawlings told the court that Ishola committed the offence on September 2, 2022, around 4:30 am, at Opara II Estate in the Rounder area of Abeokuta.
“Ishola was found roaming around the community when a security man on duty stopped him and questioned him. He confessed that he was fleeing from members of a rival cult group trying to kill him,” Rawlings said.
She added that Ishola was handed over to a police officer living in the community and later confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
Rawlings explained that the offence contravened Section 34 and was punishable under Section 36 of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism, and Other Anti-Violence Related Offences Law, 2016.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate J.A. Akan stated that the prosecution had proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The evidence provided by the prosecution is credible and sufficient to convict the defendant. He is sentenced to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine,” Akan ruled.
