Five MAPOLY Secret Cult Member Nabbed For illegal Arms Possession

Five students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta
were on Friday arraigned before a Magistrate Court in the
Ogun State capital for unlawful possession of firearms and
belonging to a prohibited secret cult.

The accused persons are Olawale Olaniyi, Adeyemi Azeez,
Olufalo Bidemi, Osilaja Hammed and Bashorun Sodiq.
They are facing a three-count charge, which ranged from
conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms and belonging to
a secret cult.

The charge read that the accused, on August 5, 2013 at
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokut,a in the Abeokuta
Magisterial District belonged to a group called Black Axe, a
secret cult society, contrary to Section 3 and punishable
under Section 5 of the Secret Cult (Prohibition and Special
Prohibition) Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

The accused persons were also alleged to be unlawfully in
possession a locally-made gun, and thereby committed an
offence contrary to Section 3 of the Firearms Act (Cap 28)
Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

The arraignment of the accused was based on the legal advice
of the Director of Public Prosecution in a letter with reference
number AB11/S.9631A/12 dated July 21, 2014, which
recommended the trial.
When the charge was read to the accused, they pleaded not
guilty.
Two counsel, Bolarinwa Odeyale and B.O Saidu appeared for
the accused.

Odeyale pleaded for renewal of the bail earlier granted the
accused before their case file was sent to the DPP but the
court noted that it could only be granted if a new application
was filed or the sureties came forward to update the bail
application for the benefits of the accused.

Odeyale was able to perfect his argument and prayers in
favour of three of the accused; Olawale Olaniyi, Olufalo
Bidemi and Bashorun Sodiq, who were granted bail. Two
others, Adeyemi Azeez and Osilaja were ordered to be
remanded in prison for their inability to meet the bail
conditions.

The case was adjourned till February 19, 2015.