Court remands 8 over alleged conspiracy, cult membership

(Nigeria) An  Upper Area  Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, on Thursday ordered  eight accused persons to be remanded in prison for alleged criminal conspiracy.

The accused persons were also charged for being members of an unlawful society, extortion and for causing grievous hurt by dangerous means.

The accused persons  are Abraham Adah, alias “doctor” ( 28) ; Joseph Eseh alias “condition”( 29);  Francis Jeremiah, alias “general”(26);  Sabo Dominic (28);  Sule Daniel (27);  Alade Achiroko (29);  Jonathan Johnson (29 )and Godwin Onoja,  all of Kabayi Mararaba.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Mr Jospeh Ahua, told the court that, one Micheal  Ogwuche and Udoma Daniel,  both of Kabayi , Mararaba Nasarawa State, reported the matter to the ‘A’ Division  Police Station, Mararaba, on February 21.

Ahua said that on the same date, the accused persons were operating at Kabayi as members of unlawful societies known as ‘Arrow Confraternity’ and ‘Bagas.’

He said that the accused persons conspired among themselves, while brandishing guns, to beat the two complainants up injuringd them with dangerous weapons like guns, axes, iron cutter, clubs and iron saw.

The prosecutor further explained that, as a result, Ogwuche and Daniel sustained injuries on their heads and backs, adding that investigation revealed them as actual cult members.

He also said that they had snatched several cell phones from unsuspecting members of the public and the items were recovered from them after arrest.

According to him, the accused confessed to snatching them.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened sections 96, 97, 298 and 248 of the Penal Code.

He said that the accused should not be granted bail to enable him carry out further investigation.

Ahua said the first accused had a matter before that court and that, he had been under supervision.

The prosecutor further said the offences for which they were charged were not bailable, and that the court should use its discretion to remand them.

However, Counsel to the accused persons, Mr   Isaiah Amobi, Mr S.S. Ike and Mr N. Monik, prayed the court to grant their clients bail.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Vincent Gwahemba, criticised the counsel to the accused for making an oral application for bail, stressing that the application should come up formally.

He refused to grant the accused persons bail, and ordered that they be remanded in prison.

Gwahemba adjourned the case to April 2 for further hearing.