Anti-Cultism Law Of Lagos
With the recent capture of three suspected murderous members of the Klansman Confraternity, there have been various reactions from Lagosians and Nigerians generally considering their awful act was caught on tape.
The suspects shot a member of the Eiye Confraternity, Akinola Ayegbusi, to death at a restaurant in Alapere, Ketu area of Lagos State on July 7, 2022.
Normal activities were ongoing when the suspects, who were said to be on a revenge mission, trailed Ayegbusi to the front of the restaurant.
After spotting him, the cultists, who were armed with guns and cutlasses, allegedly shot Ayegbusi. In a bid to escape, the victim ran into the restaurant.
Thereafter, the suspects, numbering six, were seen in a video clip captured by the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) installed on the premises of the restaurant, shooting and using cutlasses to hack Ayegbusi till he died.
The attack threw the security guard, workers, and customers into panic as they were seen in the video clip, running helter-skelter.
The suspects exited the premises of the restaurant after committing the crime.
The police said one Jamiu Rasheed, 22, and Sheriff Module, 26 committed the crime. Another member of the gang, Emmanuel Samson was also arrested.
It is noteworthy that the Lagos State House of Assembly had in February 2021 passed the anti-cultism bill which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu subsequently assented to.
Below are 10 high points of the law:
- The law states that 15 years in jail will be meted on persons forming an unlawful society or cult. The same fate will befall anyone who allows a meeting of cultists to be held in any property under his control.
- One is regarded as a cultist if he or she is found with insignia, banners, documents, or any other item belonging to such an illegal group.
- It is 21 years for you if, as a member of a secret cult or such illegal group, you set fire or use any deadly object in such a manner as to endanger the health and/or property of any person(s). Such deadly objects can also be acid or any potent chemical.
- A student can only join associations registered with the student affairs department of his or her academic institution.
- Whoever aids or protects a cultist is guilty of an offence and is in danger of being sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
- 21-year jail term: The law stipulates a jail term of 21 years for anyone found to be a member of a cult group or solicit members of an unlawful society. The same punishment goes for persons who attend meetings of a cult group as well as those who carry out acts capable of endangering the lives of residents.
- For compelling anyone to become a member of a secret cult, a criminal will spend 15 yrs in jail. If violence leading to physical harm is used for this purpose, the punishment will be a jail term of 25 years.
- When a suspected cultist is found with a firearm or a person who is armed is caught in the process of trying to compel someone else to join a cultist group, they will be made to face a 15-year jail term.
- You are also liable to a 21-year jail term if, as a suspected cultist, you arrange or order a fellow cultist to avenge, retaliate or injure anyone within a premises in the state.
- Any student who joins an unlawful group is liable on conviction to a term of two years imprisonment.
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