Fashion designer arraigned for cultism, unlawful possession of arms

Oluwatobi Akindele

A 27-year-old fashion designer, Olamide Oyelami, has been arraigned before an Ogba Magistrates’ Court on three counts bordering on cultism and unlawful possession of firearm.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Oyelami was arrested during a police patrol on July 22, 2018.

It was gathered that a locally-made pistol loaded with one live cartridge was found in his possession and he further confessed to being a member of a cult, Alora.

In his statement to the police, the Oyo State indigene said he went to a birthday party with his friend, adding that the pistol was kept in his care by another friend.

He said, “I live with a childhood friend, Olaitan Olatunji. Olatunji and I went to a birthday party. When it was around 9pm, we left the party. On getting to De-Chandi Hotel near the general hospital on Ota Road, the police patrol team attached to the Elere division accosted me and when they searched me, they recovered one locally-made pistol loaded with one live cartridge.

“The pistol that was found in my possession was given to me by one Leke Obatolu, who resides in the Oniwaya area of Agege. Obatolu gave me the gun at the birthday party. He asked me to keep it for him. Olatunji, Obatolu and I are members of Alora. I joined Alora early last year and Obatolu was the one that initiated me into the cult.”

The police prosecutor, Abiola Adewale, told the court that the offences contravened sections 411, 41 and 51 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.

The charges read, “That you, Olamide Oyelami, and others now at large, on July 22, 2018, around 11.30pm on Ota Road, Ile-Epo, Agege, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit; belonging to an unlawful society.

“That you, Olamide Oyelami, and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did manage a confraternity, popularly known as Alora, knowing that the society is unlawful.

“That you, Olamide Oyelami, and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully have in your possession one locally-made single-barrelled pistol with one live cartridge without a licence issued to you by the Inspector-General of Police or any other appropriate authority.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The presiding magistrate, W. A. salami, admitted him to bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties in like sum.

He said, “The sureties should be gainfully employed with evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.”

He adjourned the case till September 27, 2018.