Ayodele Popoola

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Akure, on Wednesday ordered the remand of six men at the Olokuta Correctional Facility in Akure over their alleged involvement in the recent cult-related killings in Owo town.

Recall that on January 5, this year, four individuals were killed by suspected cultists, while several residents sustained injuries during a violent clash in Owo.

The defendants, Oladimeji Ogunseyila (28), Olabode Ojo alias Popo (30), Adeola Bero (30), Olayemi Ayodele (20), Ijalade Femi and Ijarotimi Taye (42), were remanded by Chief Magistrate Sunday Adedapo, pending the issuance of advice at the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

Adedapo ruled, “Going through the defendants’ confessional statements of the defendants, I see that all the defendants have once belonged to one cult group or the other, and some claimed to have renounced their membership.

“ The arguments of the defence counsels in their counter affidavits are meant for trial, not for remand proceedings

“ I hereby held that viable probable cause exit to keep all the six defendants in custody, pending the advice from the DPP”

Upon the arrest of the defendants by the men of the Ondo State Police command, the defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge of conspiracy, cultism, murder, illegal possession of firearms, and illegal possession of stolen vehicles.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin, informed the court that the offences were committed on January 6, 7, and 8, 2025, around 10:30 a.m. in Owo town. He alleged that the suspects were members of the ALORA and AVE secret cults.

Akintimehin alleged the suspects used firearms and other weapons to murder Fisayo Oladipupo (53), Oladimeji Alawi (19), Adedokun Malik (10), and Adedeji Rafiu (46).

He further alleged that the second and third defendants, Ojo and Bero, were found in possession of a double-barrel gun and nine cartridges.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 516, 319, and 430 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006, as well as Section 1(1) and (2) of the Secret Cults and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

The court did not take the suspects’ pleas due to a lack of jurisdiction. The prosecutor submitted a written application requesting their remand at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the DPP.

The defence counsels, Israel Tiwo, Daniel Onu, P. Amuluku and others replied to the remand application through separate verified counter-affidavits.

They urged the court to grant the defendants bail in the most liberal terms, saying their clients were not part of the said killings in the town and that some of the defendants who were cultists had renounced their membership.

Magistrate Adedapo held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try the offences and ordered their remand.

He, thereafter, adjourned the case till June 2, for mention.