- Odibo Victory
A Benin High Court on Monday ordered the remand of three persons in police custody over alleged cultism in Edo.
The defendants, identified as Sunday Stephen, 29; Destiny Omogiaho, 22; and Ebenezer Aboiralor, 26, are facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and membership of a secret cult.
The remand order followed an ex parte motion filed by the police prosecutor, Emmanuel Ekibade, who urged the court to remand the suspects in police custody for an initial period of 14 days pending the conclusion of investigations.
Ekibade, after citing the relevant provisions of the law, alleged that the defendants, on or about December 25, 2025, at Ogueka Community within the Benin Judicial Division, conspired among themselves to belong to secret cult groups known as the Marphite and Black Axe Secret Cult Supreme Confraternity.
He told the court that the alleged offences contravened Section 412(1) and Section 4(1) of the Edo State Criminal Law, 2022, and are punishable under Section 12(1) of the Edo State Secret Cult and Similar Related Offences Prohibition Law, 2025.
Ekibade stated that the suspects would not suffer any prejudice if the application was granted.
The presiding Judge, Justice Williams Azeigbemhin granted the request and ordered that the three defendants be remanded in the custody of the Edo State Police Command.
The case was subsequently adjourned until August 18.