MICHAEL AKINOLA
Two suspected members of the Neo Black Movement of Africa, also known as “Black Axe” or “Aye”, were arraigned before a Lagos magistrate court over allegations of cultism, attempted murder, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition inside a university campus.
The defendants, identified as Abdulquadri Olayemi and Olisemeke Kelechi, were charged by the Lagos State Police Command, Crocodile Tactical Team, on June 1, 2026.
The charges border on unlawful society and cultism under the Criminal law of the State. According to the charge sheet signed by CSP Ajad Oluwasegun, the suspects were accused of conspiring to form and manage an unlawful society.
The offence is contrary to Section 2(3) of the Lagos State Law on Unlawful Societies and Cultism 2021, which prohibits all forms of secret cult activities in the state.
Count II alleged that on May 26, 2026, at about 2:45pm, the defendants and others invaded Lagos State University, Ojo Campus. The Police said they stormed the school premises in numbers, armed with firearms, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons. The incident allegedly caused panic among students and staff.
The charge sheet further stated that the suspects attempted to kill a person yet to be identified during the invasion. The offence is punishable under Section 230(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. Police said the attack was carried out in numbers as members of the proscribed group.
Count IV accused the defendants of unlawful possession of two live cartridges in a public place without satisfactory explanation. The offence is contrary to Section 296 and punishable under Section 3 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. The Police said the ammunition was recovered during the arrest.
Count VI further accused them of unlawful possession of criminal charms. The offence falls under Section 133 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. The Police listed the items as part of the exhibits recovered from the suspects during the operation at LASU.
The defendants were arraigned before the Lagos State Magisterial Court sitting in Ogba. The case was filed by the Crocodile Tactical Team of the Lagos State Police Command. The Commissioner of Police was listed as complainant in the matter.
Their plea was not taken following a motion moved by the prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere. The prosecutor asked the court to refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, for legal advice due to the weight of the charges and jurisdictional issues.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending the outcome of the DPP’s advice. The court also directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and forward it to the DPP for review.
The case was adjourned to July 1, 2026, for further hearing. The Magistrate said the DPP’s advice would determine whether the matter should be tried at the magistrate court or transferred to a high court based on jurisdiction.
Legal experts say the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. They noted that arraignment is not conviction, and the accused persons have the right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.
The alleged offences attract several years of imprisonment if the defendants are tried and found guilty. The Lagos State Law on Unlawful Societies and Cultism 2021 prescribes stiff penalties for cult membership, while attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms carry longer jail terms under the Criminal Law.