Four students of a private higher institution in Osun State, Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, have been remanded in Ilesa prison by an Osogbo Magistrate’s court for allegedly belonging to a cult group and also being in possession of fire arms.
The young undergraduates- Olabanji Michael, 23; Adewusi Michael, 23; Oyinbo Kehinde, 21; and Afolabi Yusuf, 23- had been dragged to the court by the police on Friday before Magistrate Olubukola Awodele ordered their remand.
Police prosecutor, Elisha Olusegun, told the court that the accused persons conspired among themselves on August 29, 2017 to commit the offences.
He also accused them of being members of a secret cult, the Black Axe Confraternity.
Olusegun further argued that the accused persons threatened public peace with their possession of unaccounted fire arms at Oduduwa University area, Ipetumodu.
The prosecution then stated that the offences committed by the male students were contrary to and punishable under Sections 516, 64(a) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 vol.II, Laws of Osun State, Nigeria, 2002 and Section 3 and 4 and punishable under section 27(1)b(I) of the Firearms Act Cap F.28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
But the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.
Their lawyer, J.P. Joes, pleaded with the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms, arguing that they were presumed innocent until the prosecutor proved them guilty.
Olusegun objected the oral bail application asking the court to remand them in view of the current security situation in the country.
He informed the court that investigation was still ongoing and that the police were still on the trail of others at large.
Consequently, Magistrate Awodele refused the accused persons bail and ordered that they be remanded in Ilesha prison custody.
