Parents, Landlords Panic Over Tough Laws On Cultism Unveiled By Lagos Judiciary

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Lagos State Judiciary may have taken steps to curb the activities of cultism in the state by making tough laws in the State as was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu.

 P.M.EXPRESS reports that the new laws did not spare parents, landlords, owners of event centres, hotels and other designated places, who may try to harbour cult groups for their meetings by prescribing several years of imprisonment. 

This was disclosed by the Police boss, Mr. Odumosu, while parading suspected criminal elements at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, Lagos.

He stated that Lagos State has been generally calm because the Command has improved on the security network of State.

He explained that most of the hoodlums, cultists and miscreants, who terrorise the State have been arrested and prosecuted while many of their leftovers are being kept at bay. 
CP Odumosu attributed it to the Lagos State new laws on Anti-Cultism which prescribes 25 years imprisonment for cultist as well as punishment for whoever that serves as accessory before and after the fact to any cult member.

He also revealed that the law also prescribes 15 years imprisonment for anybody whose property, be it house (landlord), event centre, recreational centre, bar, vehicle etc is used to aid or facilitate any cult related activities and 2 years imprisonment for parents of any cult member.

Some parents, bar owners and landlords, who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS, kicked against the new laws as it directly affected them for punishment.

They claim that it imposes serious challenge on them because they may not know what their children were doing especially those above 18 and are in school.

On the side of bar owners and event centres, some of them said they have to be watchful on the activities of their customers but expressed reservations on holding them culpable for cult members, who may come to their places without their knowledge.

This has really put them in panic mood as some of them said they may be arrested and sent to prison over what they really do not know much about based on the new laws.