Six alleged cultists of the `Buccaneer’ Confraternity who allegedly robbed a lady of N680, 000 were docked on Tuesday in Lagos at an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The accused: Rasheed Lasisi , 21; Niyi Bamolu, 23; Tope Oyebola, 26; Michael Kalu,24; Ebuka Frank, 21, and a teenager, Ugunna Aruchi, 19, are facing a four-count charge of robbery , conspiracy, belonging to an unlawful society and obstruction of lawful duty.
The prosecutor, DSP Etim Nkankuk, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Feb. 23 at 11.00 p.m. at No. 44, Akinwunmi St., Alagomeji, Yaba, in Lagos State.
Nkankuk said the complainant, Mrs Bunmi James, was attacked and robbed of her iPhone set and a gold chain, all valued at N680, 000. The prosecutor also said that the accused persons belonged to an unlawful secret society called `Buccaneers’
. He said the accused, who were known for their notoriety, escaped from police custody on the day they committed the offences but they were later re-arrested. The offences, he noted, contravened Sections 42, 172(B), 295 and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
NAN reports that Section 42 (1) stipulates that any person who is a member of an unlawful society is liable to imprisonment for three years. The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The chief magistrate, Mr A.O. Isaac, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum. Isaac ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government, be resident in Lagos and show evidence of genuine means of livelihood.
He further adjourned the case till March 25, for mention.
