MICHAEL AKINOLA
Two men, Ganiyu Giwa, 36, and Adeleke Ayomide, 24, were on Tuesday arraigned before Magistrate L.A. Owolabi at the Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos State. The defendants face allegations of conspiracy and membership of an unlawful society, contrary to Lagos State laws.
According to Charge No. 12026/2026 filed by the Commissioner of Police, the alleged offences were committed on April 18, 2026, at about 9:00pm within Lagos Island area, which falls under the Lagos Magisterial District. The charge sheet detailed the circumstances leading to their arrest.
The prosecution, led by Josephine Ihkayere, informed the court that Giwa, Ayomide and others now at large conspired among themselves to commit felony. The specific felony alleged is membership of an unlawful society, an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count II of the charge stated that on the same date, time and place, both defendants belonged to a group identified as “Aiye Confraternity”. The prosecution described the group as a proscribed unlawful society under Lagos State legislation.
The offence under Count II is said to contravene Section 2(3) of the Unlawful Societies Prohibition Law of Lagos State, 2021. The law prohibits the formation of membership, and promotion of secret cults and confraternities within Lagos State, with penalties stipulated for violators.
Court records indicated that the arrest of the defendants was carried out by a Police team led by SP Banti Adamu. The team was said to have acted on intelligence and effected the arrest within the Lagos Island area before transferring the matter to the court for prosecution.
When the two-count charge was read to them, Giwa and Ayomide each entered a plea of not guilty. The plea was taken separately by the court registrar in the presence of the magistrate and prosecution counsel.
Following the not guilty plea, prosecutor Josephine Ihkayere applied for a trial date. She told the court that the prosecution would present witnesses and exhibits to prove the allegations contained in the charge sheet before Magistrate L.A. Owolabi.
In response, the defence counsel applied for bail on behalf of the defendants. After considering the application and submissions from both sides, Magistrate L.A. Owolabi granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The court added conditions that the sureties must be gainfully employed, provide evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government, and have their addresses verified by the court registrar. The defendants were ordered to remain in custody pending perfection of bail.
Legal analysts noted that Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria guarantees that every person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This principle remains in force until the court delivers a final judgment after trial.
The matter was adjourned to June 24, 2026 for mention. The prosecution is expected to open its case and call witnesses at the next adjourned date, while the defendants will remain presumed innocent under the law until conviction is secured by the court.