BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Police in Osun State have arrested a 32-year-old suspected cultist, Atoyebi Olamide, for allegedly terrorising residents of Osogbo and its environs with guns and other dangerous weapons.
Olamide, said to be a bricklayer before he allegedly joined a secret cult identified as Aiye Confraternity, was arrested by a team of combined policemen led by SP Lukman Afolabi of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the state police command, under the leadership of CSP Gabriel Oluwasesin.
After completion of investigation, the suspect was arraigned by the police on Wednesday at a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Osogbo, for alleged cultism, illegal possession of firearms and public disturbance of peace.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Fatoba Temitope, the suspect and others, now at large, on July 27, 2022, at Agunbelewo area of Osogbo, committed a felony and unlawful possession of firearms and cartridges which he used in terrorising innocent citizens.
Temitope informed the court that the defendant caused palpable fear in the minds of residents of Osogbo and its environs in the process of unleashing terror.
A copy of the charge sheet obtained in court read partly, “That you Atoyebi Olamide and others now at large, on July 27, 2022 at Agunbelewo area in Osogbo Magisterial District, did have in your possession one locally made cut to size single barrel.”
Olamide was also accused of possessing two live cartridges which he couldn’t give satisfactory account of, belonging to unlawful society known as Aiye Confraternity and also unleashing terror on citizens.
The prosecutor said the defendant committed offences contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State, 2002. He also said to have committed offences contrary to sections 4 and punishable under sections 64, 249(d), and 27(1) b (1) of the Firearms Act Cap f.28 Vol. II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2004.
Olamide pleaded not guilty to the five count-charge allegations slammed against him.
Counsel to the defendant, Olatunbosun Oladipupo, made an oral bail application for his client and urged the court to admit him to bail in liberal terms.
Magistrate A.A. Adeyeba ordered that Olamide be remanded in Ilesa Correctional Centre and asked the defence counsel to furnish the court with formal bail application.
He adjourned the case till September 2 for mention.
