Crime
Crackdown In Sagamu: Police Arrest Suspected Cult Leader, 18 Others
Police in Ogun state have arrested 19 individuals suspected of belonging to various cult groups following recent violent clashes in the Sagamu area, resulting in eight fatalities.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Ogun State, Omolola Odutola, issued a statement on Monday, confirming the arrests.
According to the statement, the arrest took place at different locations in Sagamu and were as a result of collaborative efforts from various police units.
Additionally, the operation led to the capture of Ogunnibi Hammed, a suspected key figure in the Eiye Confraternity, believed to be responsible for attacks on rival cult groups within the state.
The statement read in part, “On the 24th of September 2023, a successful tactical operation carried out by the Ogun State Police Command led to the arrest of Ogunnibi Hammed, the kingpin of the Eiye Confraternity.
“This notorious cultist has been widely known for his involvement in gruesome attacks against rival cult groups in Ogun State.
“The operation was a result of a combined effort between the Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Anti-Cultism Unit, and the Obalende Division of the Police Force.
“Acting on intercepted information, the operation targeted the suspected cultists who had been causing terror in various areas, including Odogbolu, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, and Ilishan.
“Among those apprehended were Sodipo Azeez, also known as Bintobo, Ilori Gbenga, Lamina Yusuf, Kolawole Rasaq, Adelaja Otusanya, Adeyemi Soneye, Oseni Toheeb, Thank God Naba, Lekan Qudus, Adelusi Omotayo, Timothy Monday, Ayomide Ishmael, Oboje Jeremiah, Ayoola Oladayo, Jacob Chidi, John Innocent, Ayangbile Victor, and Jacob Sunday.
“All of these individuals have confessed to being active members of different cult groups.”
The State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, has directed an immediate investigation into the individuals who were arrested.
He assured the public that they will be kept informed of any further developments in the case, as mentioned by the Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, requiring him to appear in court on October 24.
This summons follows the filing of a 16-count charge of alleged fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC has accused Bello, alongside two others—Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu—of criminal breach of trust involving a staggering sum of N110.4 billion.
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The public summons was issued by Justice Maryanne Anenih on Thursday, after the EFCC reported difficulties in serving Bello with the charges.
Bello’s absence led to the postponement of his arraignment, which was originally scheduled for Thursday.
This latest development follows prior efforts to compel Bello to attend court, including a May ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite that mandated his physical presence, as well as a recent order from the Court of Appeal.
Darius Ishaku, the former governor of Taraba State, has been granted bail of N150 million by a high court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ishaku appeared in court on Monday alongside Bello Yero, the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, facing serious allegations including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds.
The two defendants pleaded “not guilty” to a total of 15 charges during their arraignment.
In a court session on Thursday, their legal teams presented bail applications, which were not opposed by the prosecution.
Rotimi Jacobs, representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stated that he had no objection since the defendants had previously been granted administrative bail.
Judge Sylvanus Oriji approved the bail, requiring each defendant to provide two sureties in the same amount as the bail.
The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.
Additionally, at least one surety for each defendant must hold a director-level position in the civil service.
The court imposed restrictions on both men, preventing them from traveling outside the country without prior approval and mandating that they deposit their travel documents with the court.
Ishaku, 70, who governed Taraba from 2015 to 2023, was previously invited by the EFCC in July 2023 regarding financial transactions during his tenure, resulting in his initial release on bail.
However, both Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the EFCC on September 27, 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 33 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud during a recent operation in Port Harcourt.
The agency announced the arrests via its X account (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
The suspects were apprehended in a sting operation in the Iwofe and Ogboro areas of the city, following credible intelligence regarding their alleged criminal activities.
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Along with the arrests, the EFCC seized a range of items, including several mobile phones, laptops, and boxes containing counterfeit United States dollars.
The operation also revealed fake stamps from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs, airport clearance, DHL, and FedEx, as well as two vehicles.
The suspects are currently in custody and will face charges in court upon the completion of ongoing investigations.
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