Suspected cultist remanded for hacking men to death

A28-year man, Elijah Ogunlaja, was at the weekend docked at an Ebute Meta Magistrate Court, on murder charges and membership of a secret cult.

Ogunlaja, who lives in Oworoshoki, a suburb of Lagos, appeared on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, unlawful display of fire arms in the public, belonging and managing an unlawful society.

The police prosecutor, Clara Olagbayi, told the court that the accused committed the offences at different times between November and December 2018 at different locations in Oworonshoki. She said that the accused had stabbed one Yusuf to death.

According to the prosecutor, the accused had also hacked one Seun Balogun and one Aro with a cutlass and cut open their stomachs.

The prosecutor also said that the accused was also alleged to belong to the “Aiye” confraternity. He was also said to have been openly displaying firearms and ammunition and posing a threat to the public.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 41, 51, 168, 223, 330 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate, A.o.salawu, remanded the accused at the Ikoyi Prison pending the outcome of the legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPPS). NAN