22 people, teenage girl charged with cultism in Lagos

Twenty-three people including a teenage girl were on Wednesday docked at a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos over alleged membership of a cult called “Awawa’’. They were, however, granted bail in the sum of N250, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

The accused are Abel Isaac, 28; Sunday Onoja, 30; Chidozie Ajendu, 30; Samuel Lazarus, 32; Tjimas

Abu, 30; Tayebu Ibrahim, 25; Jataru Bako, 26; Smart Social, 23; and Edward Emmanuel, 22..

Others are Tairu Mohammed, 24; Illiasu Alabidu, 18; Stephen Tano, 18; Kunle Adebayo, 18; Rasheed Kabiru, 25; Adeshina Adisa, 27; Musa Sanni, 18; Yusuf Suleiman, 25; Adam Isau, 18; and Daniel Obayemi, 18.

Ndu Austin, 24; Otachi Anthony, 20; Harrison Andrew, 19; and Emmanuel James, 22, also made the list.

The accused, who all reside at Agege, a Lagos suburb, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, public terrorism and unlawful confraternity.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Roman Unigbe, told the court that the accused had on March 1 at about 1.00 a.m. at No.4, Bode Lane, Agege, were caught holding a meeting.

They were apprehended following complaints of Agege residents about their ceaseless attacks in the area.’’

Unigbe said the offences contravened Sections 42 (a), 44 (1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Mr P.A. Ojo, adjourned the case to March 18 for trial. (NAN)