An Ondo State Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, has ordered the remand of nine youths for allegedly committing murder.
The defendants were arraigned before the court by the state police command, after their arrest over bloody cult clashes which occurred in Ondo town on May 25 and 31, 2025. No fewer than five persons were reportedly killed during the clashes.
The defendants are Ayomide Akinrinmade,23; Olarewaju Adejuwon, 31; Kunle Johnson, 29; Sodiq Ibrahim, 25; Franklin Akinrinsola, 29; Sunkanmi Adebusoye, 30; Ayoola Fadayomi, 45; Eric Akingbesote,31 and 29-year old Akin Alomoloyin.
They were arraigned before the court on Tuesday on six counts bordering on conspiracy, cultism, murder, illegal possession of arms and breach of peace.
During the arraignment, the police prosecutor, Taiwo Oniyere, informed the court that the defendants and others at large committed the offences at different places between May 25 and 31, 2025, in Ondo town, adding that the defendants engaged and paraded themselves as members of the Aiye and Ave secret cults.
He alleged that the defendants killed one Ayodele Fagbemigun, 25 and one Sunday Adeyemi, 32, as well as three other persons during the cult clashes. The prosecutor further informed the court that the sixth defendant, Adebusoye, had in his possession a locally made gun and ammunition without a valid licence.
According to him, the offences by the defendants contravened Sections 516, 319, 249(D)and 430 of the Criminal Law of Ondo State, 2006, as well as Section 1(1) and (2) of the Secret Cults and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Laws of Ondo State, 2006.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the counts but their plea was not taken by the court.
The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions of the state but defence counsel, Femi Adetoye, begged for an adjournment of the case to allow the defendants to file counter-affidavits.
In his ruling, Magistrate Jaiyeola Ogungade ordered the remand of the defendants in police custody and adjourned the case till June 20, 2025, for the application and ruling.
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