CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 27-year-old man, Yusuf Laminu, was arraigned before a Lagos State Magistrate Court for alleged conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm and membership of an unlawful society in Ojokoro area of Lagos.
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearm and belonging to a proscribed cult group, contrary to the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 and the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecutor, SP Phillip Ademigbuji of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, told the court that Yusuf Laminu and others now at large committed the offences on the 17th day of June, 2026 at about 10:30pm at Adetola Road, Ijaiye Ojokoro area, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
SP Ademigbuji told the court that in Count 1, the defendant and others at large did conspire amongst themselves to commit felony to wit: unlawful society and unlawful possession, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count 2, the prosecutor alleged that the defendant and others still at large were found in possession of one locally made single barrel gun and one live cartridge without lawful authority in such a manner as to cause fear to members of the public. The offence was said to be punishable under Section 298(3) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count 3, SP Ademigbuji further alleged that the defendant and others now at large belonged to the Eiye confraternity, which is proscribed by law as an unlawful society. The prosecutor said the act is contrary to and punishable under Section 2(3)(a)(b)(c)(d) of the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021.
When the charges were read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Following his plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant pending legal advice from the DPP and the issuance of advice on the matter.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mrs. O. Kusanu ordered that the defendant be remanded in custody at the Correctional Center at Kirikiri Town, Lagos pending the DPP’s advice. The case was adjourned to a later date for mention.
The Investigating Police Officer in the matter was ASP Alegbe Monday attached to the Command Tactical Squad 1, State Headquarters, Ikeja, while the complainant was listed as Ameh Emmanuel.
Security agencies in Lagos have in recent months intensified operations against cultism and illegal possession of firearms, especially in communities within Ojokoro, Agege and Alimosho. The Lagos State Government had in 2021 signed the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law to curb the activities of cult groups and provide stiffer penalties for offenders.
Legal analysts say that under Section 298(3) of the Lagos Criminal Law, unlawful possession of firearms is treated as a serious offence, while Section 2 of the 2021 Cultism Law prescribes punishment for anyone found to be a member of a proscribed society.
Community leaders in Ojokoro have also called for increased Police patrols and community engagement to reduce cult-related activities and restore peace in the area.
The court held that the defendant remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.