The police have arraigned 28-year-old
suspected cultist, Adigun Oriyomi, before an Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court for
allegedly being responsible for the death of four people during several cult
clashes in the Mushin area of Lagos.
It was learnt that Oriyomi led his
gang in the Black Axe to confront a rival cult group, on 30 August, 2013.
In the ensuing gun battle, two men –
Henry Omonmhenle and Ashy Somade – were killed.
Two other persons, Toheeb Sodiq and
Fatai Maja, allegedly sustained permanent gun injury after they were hit in the
leg.
It was learnt that after the
incident, the Divisional Police Officer was alerted and his men raided the
scene of the fight.
Investigation was said to have led to
the arrest of Oriyomi.
PUNCH Metro had reported on September 9, that the defendant had in the
past, been arrested by the police, charged with murder before another
Magistrate’s Court and released through the help of some influential members of
the community.
The police told the court on Monday
that although the defendant was not arrested with any weapon, he was identified
by witnesses and had further made confessional statements.
The six counts read in part, “That
you, Adigun Oriyomi, and others at large, on August 30, 2013, at about
0045hrs, at Martins Street, by Akinyemi Junction, Mushin, Lagos, in the Lagos
Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit;
murder and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 231 of the
Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.
“That you, Adigun Oriyomi, and others
at large, on 30 July, 2013 at about 2130hrs, at 43, Ikorodu Road, Jibowu, Lagos
in the Lagos Magisterial District, did attempt to unlawfully kill one Fatai
Maja, by shooting him with a gun in the leg and thereby committed an offence
punishable under Section 228 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria,
2011.”
His plea was not taken for the murder
charges.
Oriyomi, who appeared in court in a
white top and blue jeans, did not have any legal representation.
The prosecutor, Corporal Cyriacus
Osuyi, while making application for his remand, said Oriyomi confessed to
killing two other people.
He said, “The defendant made a
confessional statement that apart from the deceased, he had equally killed one
Musibau and one Jummy in 2010, when they had a confraternity conflict in
Mushin.
“It is because of these facts that I
apply that the defendant be remanded in prison custody sequel to Section 264(1)
of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Lagos State, 2011.”
The magistrate, Mrs Y.B
Okusanya-Badejo, remanded the defendant in prison pending legal advice from the
Directorate of Public Prosecution.
The matter was adjourned till
November 19.
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Society