A 40-year-old man, suspected to be a cult member, has been arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court for illegal possession of drugs and other offences.
The suspect, Chuks Ikemjika, who was slammed with a four-count charge bearing on illegal possession of drugs, robbery, murder, conspiracy to commit felony and for belonging to an unlawful society, is said to be a member of the Aiye Confraternity.
Ikemjika, infamous for his activities at Akala-Mushin and Idi-Oro areas of Lagos State, was arrested by police officers on a tip-off.
In count one, the defendant was accused of illegal possession of drugs with intent to distribute and consume.
In count two, the defendant was accused of conspiring to commit felony contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law, Cap CH. C17 Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
In count three, the defendant was accused of belonging to an unlawful society suspected to be Aiye confraternity, an offence contrary to Section 42(a) and punishable under Section 42 (b) of the Criminal Law, Cap. CH.17 Vol.3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, while in count four he was said to have attended the meeting of the said unlawful group, contrary to the laws of the state.
After the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty, while his lawyer urged the court to grant his client bail on the ground that the offences for which he was charged were bailable.
The prosecution team, led by Mr. Yakub Oshoala, a director from the Directorate of Public Prosecution, did not oppose the bail application, but he urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
In her ruling, Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties in like sum.
The sureties, according to the Magistrate, must be responsible residents, in gainful employment with evidence of paying tax for three years in Lagos State and one of which must be a blood relation of each of the defendants.
The matter was adjourned for trial to dates starting from 11th April 2018.
Speaking to our correspondent outside the court, Oshoala said, “Cultism, drug peddling and other crimes have no place in this state; we will ensure that armed criminals are duly prosecuted.
“To this end, the arraignment of the defendant will serve as a deterrent to those who may want to engage in the act of cultism.”
