By Kayode Olabanji

Five men have been remanded in Olokuta prison custody by an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Oke-Eda in the Akure Magisterial District, over their alleged involvement in secret cult.

The accused persons are, Tope Olawole, Abiola Oseni, Tope Olagundoye, Nasiru Sherif and Precious Adams.

They were brought before Magistrate, Victoria Bob-manuel, on a two-count-charge of cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

The prosecution said the accused persons and others still at large, sometime in the year 2015-2019 at Owo local Government Area of the state, engaged in cultism/secret cult related activities.

Also, on January 12, 2019, the accused persons were allegedly found in possession of firearms, battle axe, cultlass and other offensive weapons.

The alleged offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under section 1(1)  Volume 2 of the Cultism, Secret cult and similar activities (prohibition)  Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The prosecuting state counsel, Mr John Dada Joshua, urged the court to remand the accused persons in Olokuta prison.

Joshua said the adjournment will enable the court send the duplicate of the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for a legal advice. since it has no jurisdiction over the matter

Counsel to the defendants, Mr P. C Odimegwu, did not oppose the application for remand made by the prosecutor.

The Magistrate, Mrs Victoria Bob-Manuel, ordered the remand of the five accused persons in Olokuta prison, pending the issuance of the DPP’S  advice.

She adjourned the case till February 19,  2019 for review.