Two In Custody Over Robbery, Cultism

A Port Harcourt Magistrate Court presided over by Migistrate Chituru Joy Oreh, has remanded two accused persons in prison custody for alleged robbery and cultism.

The accused persons, Abiye Solomon, 22 and Godwin Kingsley, 20 are standing trial on a three count charge bordering on felony, robbery and cultism.

The Tide learnt that the accused persons belong to a dreaded Cult group called Green landers which terrorised the inhabitants of Marine Based in Port Harcourt and its environs in recent times.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Aaron Nsirem told the court that the accused persons on June 22, 2012 at about 1400hrs at Marine Base in Port Harcourt city local government area of Rivers State within the Port Harcourt magisterial district did conspire among themselves to commit felony to wit, robbery, adding that the accused also on the same date, time and place did rob MTN recharge cards valued at four thousand naira (N4,000) and five thousand naira (N5,000) cash property of one Fubara Sunday.

The prosecution further alleged that the accused persons on the same date, time and place in the afore-mentioned magisterial district did belong and participated in the activities of Green Landers secret cult organisation being a prohibited secret cult in the state.

He further alleged that the accused persons committed an offence punishable under section 516A, 402 cap C38 Vol II and section I(1) of the secret cult and similar activities (prohibition) laws, No 6, Laws of Rivers State 2004 and opposed the bail  application sought by the counsel to the accused persons on the ground that the court lacked the powers to hear the matter.

The presiding Magistrate Chituru Joy Oreh upheld the argument as canvassed by the police prosecutor that the court lacked that jurisdiction to hear the matter and declined granting the accused bail while remanding them in prison custody. She directed that the case file be forwarded to DPP for legal advice and later adjourned the matter to September 5, 2012.