Five Students Docked For Cultism

Five students of Army Day Secondary School, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have been remanded in  prison custody for cultism offences.

The accused persons Caleb Alikor Amadi 18, Bright Gboro, 18, Bethel Obie, 18, Obinna Alfred, 20, and Chinedu Alfred, 19 are standing trial on four court charge before a Port Harcourt Magistrate Court presided over by B.H. Abe.

The accused persons were said to have been members of two separate cult groups J/Veser affiliate of Daywell and Ice landers respectively.

The accused persons were further said to have attempted to murder one Ishmael Kobani and hit the head of the victim with a plank as well as inflicted him with marchet cut all over his body.

The prosecuting Police Officer, Sergeant Aaron Nsirem told the court that the accused persons and others now at large on the 25th day of May 2012 at the Army Day Secondary School, Bori Camp within the Port Harcourt Magisterial District did conspired among themselves to commit felony to wit; participation in the activities of a secret cult which is prohibited.

The prosecution further told the court that the accused persons belong to J/Veser and Ice landers cult groups an committed and offence punishable under section 516A (1), 320 (1), of the criminal code cap 37 vol.2 laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999 and section 1(1) of the secret cult and similar Activities (Prohibition) laws No. 6 of Rivers state 2004.

He objected the bail applications sought by counsel to the accused persons on the ground that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.

In her ruling, the Presiding Magistrate, B.H. Abe   upheld the views of the prosecutor saying that the court lack the powers to entertain the matter as well as to grant the accused persons bail because of the degree of the offence they committed.

She ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody while the case file be sent to DPP for legal advice. The case was later adjourned to July 27, 2012.