A Special Anti-Cultism Court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, has sentenced two men to seven years’ imprisonment each for conspiracy and membership of unlawful societies.

The convicts, Moruf Okusanya, 40, and Babatunde Gafar, 33, were convicted on Wednesday on a four-count charge.

The court held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate O.L. Oke sentenced both men to seven years each without an option of a fine.

DAILY POST gathered that Okusanya and Gafar were arrested during a violent cult clash at the Ikenne Town Hall.

The prosecutor, ASP Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the offences were committed on October 23, 2023.

Rawlings said the defendants conspired with others now at large to belong to an unlawful society.

According to her, Okusanya is a member of the Eiye Confraternity, while Gafar belongs to the Alora Confraternity.

She said the acts violated Sections 34, 36, 45(b) and 70 of the Prohibition of Forcible Entry and Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Cultism, Kidnapping and Other Anti-Violent and Related Offences Law of Ogun State, 2016.

The prosecutor told the court that the clash disrupted activities at the town hall and threatened public peace.

Magistrate Oke said the evidence presented by the prosecution was credible and sufficient to warrant conviction.

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There was pandemonium in Onitsha on Wednesday at the River Niger Head Bridge, after a policeman allegedly shot a trader over argument resulting from payment of N5,000 bribe.

Though the allegation could not be immediately verified, sources said the man was pushing pharmaceutical products in a wheelbarrow to a motor park in attempt to waybill them to a customer when the incident happened.

The shooting caused traders to block the road in protest, leading to a huge traffic gridlock, while the policeman who carried out the act was said to have quickly disappeared.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has visited the scene and addressed aggrieved traders.

He said the incident arose from a confrontation during an attempted arrest, stating that the immediate priority of the command was to ensure that the victim’s recover fully.

The spokesperson of the state police command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the incident occurred when a suspect allegedly resisted arrest, resulting in gunshot injuries.

Ikenga said: “The Commissioner of Police subsequently visited the victims at the hospital, where he assured them of the Command’s support and pledged to personally ensure that their medical expenses are covered.

“CP Nnanna further ordered a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, particularly the events leading to the discharge of the firearm. He stressed that the investigation will establish the facts and ensure that appropriate action is taken based on its findings.”

He appealed for calm and urged members of the public to remain peaceful and allow the investigation to run its course. He also reiterated the Command’s commitment to professionalism, accountability, respect for human life and the rule of law.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 10 suspected traffic robbers and 20 motorists for allegedly driving against traffic, popularly known as ‘one-way’.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed this on Wednesday while giving an update on the command’s recent operations.

Sanusi said the crackdown followed complaints from residents about criminals who rob motorists and passengers during traffic congestion, sometimes disguising themselves as hawkers.

He said he had directed Divisional Police Officers, particularly those operating in the city centre, to remove suspicious persons from major roads and traffic points.

“So far, we have arrested ten traffic robbery suspects,” Sanusi said.

He listed the suspects as Umar Salihu, Yusuf Isah, Aliyu Hamza, Abubakar Naziru, Muhammed Musa, Yagugu Mohammed, Suwidi Jibril, Kasimu Taraba, Abubakar Sani and Aminu Umar.

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are undergoing investigation.

He also disclosed that 20 motorists arrested by the command for various traffic offences, particularly driving against traffic, had been charged in court.

He further said that three victims were kidnapped from their residence in the Nyanya area of the FCT on August 14 and taken to New Nyanya in Nasarawa State, where they were held by their abductors. According to him, police operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit, Team 1, tracked the suspects with the help of information provided by a resident and arrested two persons allegedly linked to the kidnapping.

He identified the suspects as Godwin Afekhide and Aaron Ogbu.

“All three victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their family,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police further disclosed the arrest of suspects linked to armed robbery, burglary and the alleged receiving of stolen property.

He said one Ismail Tasiu, 32, was arrested at a hotel in Jabi following investigations into robbery incidents in Nyanya and Kubwa.

According to him, Tasiu was arrested alongside Adamu Aliyu, 35, who was allegedly identified as a receiver of stolen items.

Police recovered five motorcycles, three knives, a number plate and a face cap bearing the inscription Kaduna State Vigilante Service from the suspects.

“We also arrested six suspects linked to burglary and armed robbery. Investigations revealed that the gang specialised in breaking into houses at night, stealing valuables and stabbing their victims,” Sanusi added.

The Commissioner of Police assured residents that the command would sustain its operations against criminal elements across the FCT.

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