19th October, 2018
Paul Iyoghojie
Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad, FSARS on Lagos Island, Lagos have arrested a 20-year old suspected cult member, Monsuru Lawal with a locally made cut to size pistol at Oworoshoki-Gbagada area of Lagos.
A police source alleged that nemesis caught up with the suspect on 29 September 2018, when the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP in-charge at FSARS, Lagos, Mr. Ibichim Kaoje received a tip-off from concerned resident of Oworonshoki that suspected cult members had assembled at the Gbagada open field in preparation to unleash mayhem on them.
The source alleged that following the report, Kaoje dispatched a crack team led by DSP Olusola Agboola to the scene to arrest the suspects but that on sighting the police, all the suspects took to their heels.
The police, the source said pursued the suspect and arrested the Lawal with a gun.
During investigation, according to the police, Lawal, a resident of Oworoshoki allegedly confessed to the crime that he dropped out of school to join the Eiye Confraternity cult group and that he bought the gun found on him from a co-member called Lekan now at large.
Lawal was charged before the Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos on a three-count charge of unlawful possession of firearm and being a member of an unlawful society called Eiye confraternity.
Police counsel, Abraham Fadipe told the court that the accused, Lawal dropped out from JSS2, bought a pistol and joined unlawful society called Eiye Confraternity group and tormenting the resident of Oworoshoki and Gbagada area of Lagos before his arrest.
Fadipe said that the offences were punishable under Section 411, 41 and 330(b) of the Criminal law of Lagos State 2016.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime and Magistrate M. O. Ope-Agbe granted him bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Ope-Agbe adjourned the case till 13 November, 2018 for mentioned and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody till he perfected the bail conditions.
Ope-Agbe also directed the police to sent the case file to the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP’s office for advice on the matter.