The
accused persons are Olawale Olaniyi, Adeyemi Azeez, Olufalo Bidemi, Osilaja
Hammed and Bashorun Sodiq.
They
are facing a three-count charge, which ranged from conspiracy, unlawful
possession of firearms and belonging to a secret cult.
The
charge read that the accused, on August 5, 2013 at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic,
Abeokut,a in the Abeokuta Magisterial District belonged to a group called Black
Axe, a secret cult society, contrary to Section 3 and punishable under Section
5 of the Secret Cult (Prohibition and Special Prohibition) Laws of Ogun State,
2006.
The
accused persons were also alleged to be unlawfully in possession a locally-made
gun, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act
(Cap 28) Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.
The
arraignment of the accused was based on the legal advice of the Director of
Public Prosecution in a letter with reference number AB11/S.9631A/12 dated July
21, 2014, which recommended the trial.
When
the charge was read to the accused, they pleaded not guilty.
Two
counsel, Bolarinwa Odeyale and B.O Saidu appeared for the accused.
Odeyale
pleaded for renewal of the bail earlier granted the accused before their case
file was sent to the DPP but the court noted that it could only be granted if a
new application was filed or the sureties came forward to update the bail
application for the benefits of the accused.
Odeyale
was able to perfect his argument and prayers in favour of three of the accused;
Olawale Olaniyi, Olufalo Bidemi and Bashorun Sodiq, who were granted bail. Two
others, Adeyemi Azeez and Osilaja were ordered to be remanded in prison for
their inability to meet the bail conditions.
The
case was adjourned till February 19, 2015.
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