The Ogun Special Cultism Court sitting in Abeokuta on Friday sentenced a 24-year-old man, Sodiq Okeowo, to seven years in prison for belonging to a secret cult.

Mr Okeowo was convicted on a two-count charge of conspiracy and belonging to an unlawful society.

The magistrate, O.O. Adebo, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and the defendant was guilty as charged.

Ms Adebo, however, sentenced Mr Okeowo to five years for the first count of conspiracy and seven years for belonging to a secret cult.

She also gave the sentence without an option of a fine, adding that the terms of the sentence should run concurrently.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Olaide Rawlings, had told the court that the defendant committed the offences on January 15 in the Sabo area of Sagamu in Ogun.

Mr Rawlings said the defendant made a confessional statement that he was a member of the Eiye confraternity secret cult and was initiated by a suspect named Azeez.

“He said he was initiated when he was in serious need of accommodation and had no choice than to join because they promised to get him free accommodation,” the prosecutor said.

(NAN)