Man, 40, appears in court for alleged cultism, breach of peace

A 40-year-old man, Yinusa Animashaun, on Friday appeared at the  Badagry Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly belonging to a secret society and breach of public peace.

Animashaun, of no fixed address, is facing a three-count charge of being a member of a secret cult, breach of public peace and unlawfully assembly.

The Prosecutor, ASP. Clement Okuiomose, told the court that the defendant, and others still at large, committed the offences on Oct. 17, 2020, at about 11.00 a.m. at Ilogbo Elegba, Ajangbadi area of Lagos.

Okuiomose said that the defendant and his accomplices conspired to belong to a secret society called “Eiye”.

The prosecutor said that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by disturbing the peace of shop owners and other market women and men within Shibiri in Ajangbadi.

He said the defendant also took part in unlawful assembly and throwing of stone and bottles on the security agents.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 40, 44 and 168 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Fadahunsi Adefioye, granted N200,000 bail to the defendant with two sureties in like sum.

Adefioye said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The chief magistrate adjourned the case until Feb. 10, for further hearing.