MICHAEL AKINOLA
The fight against cultism is gaining momentum in Lagos State following the arrest of seven suspected members of two major cult groups namely Aiye Confraternity and Vikings during coordinated operations in the State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects were Kelvin Chinedu Aniogbe, 32, Noah Abogunloko, 36, Augustus Miracle Fidelis, 27, Emmanuel Ugochuwu, 25, Oke Owo Abogunloko, 27, Kelechi Ibeto Sixtus, 34 and Momoh Idris Godwin,39.
They were arrested by the Police Tactical Team from the Lagos State Command led by SP Banti Adamu on 7th and 16th July, 2025, at Isheri Olofin, Idimu area of Lagos having deadly charms for protection.
However, their charms did not work on the Police as they were arrested and detained for interrogation over their alleged involvement in criminal conduct.
They were found culpable after interrogation and charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Kelvin Chinedu Aniogbe ‘m’, Noah Abogunloko ‘m’, Augustus Miracle Fidelis m. Emmanuel Ugochuwu ‘m, Oke Owo Abogunloko ‘m’, Kelechi Ibeto Sixtus ‘m’, Momoh Idris Godwin ‘m’ and others now at large, on the 7th day of July, 2025 at about 0800hrs, at Saheed Balogun Street, Idimu Lagos, in the Lagos Magisteria! District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Unlawful society and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigena, 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Kelvin Chineau Aniogbe ‘m’, Abogunloko. Augustus Miracle Fidelis ‘m’, Emmanuel Ugochukwu ‘m’, Oke-Owo Abogunloko ‘m and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did belong to Aiye Confraternity, which is proscribed by Law as an unlawful society and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 2(3)(a)(b)(c)(d) of the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021.”
COUNT III:”That you, Kelechi Ibeto Sixtus ‘m’, Momoh Idris Godwin ‘m’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did belong to Vikings Confraternity, which is proscribed by Law as an unlawful society and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 2(3)(a)(b)(c) (d) of the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021.”
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Supol Josephine Ihkayere, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted them bail with sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 11th September, 2025, for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.
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