Police prosecute 60 suspected cultists under new Lagos anti-cultism law

Etim Ekpimah

The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned 60 suspected cultists arrested at various points and communities in the state to the Chief Magistrate Court, Yaba on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 before Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo with the new Lagos State Anti-Cultism Law, 2021.

The police prosecutors filed 13 counts against the 60 suspects for various offences like conspiracy, murder, cultism, unlawful possession of firearms, and breach of public peace under the new Lagos State Anti Cultism Law, 2021 and Criminal Laws of the Lagos State, 2015.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Lagos State Anti-Cultism Law provides that, on conviction, cult members risk jail term of 21 years, while their parents risk two years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.

“The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, had coordinated some raids and operations around the state, especially, in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State to go after cultists and hoodlums who have been terrorising the entire state and bring them to book,” he said.

Odumosu confirmed that the new law is a blessing and catalyst to eradicating cultism across the length and breadth of the state as the law caters for many loopholes in the previous laws pertaining to cut related matters in the state.

He further appreciated the government and good people of Lagos State for making the law a reality and success which is now applicable in the state.

Odumosu, therefore, changed the Divisional Police Officers and other operational units to be on their toes and make sure the state is rid of cultism and other social vices as the command enjoys the enabling machanism to operate and discharge its duties as expected.