Seven suspected cultists, who robbed a man of his phone and cash worth N73,000 at knife point, on Wednesday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The accused are Sunday Stephen, 36; Hassan Terrang, 26; Hassan James, 34; Adelaja Ariyo, 48; Anthony Ojukwu, 33; Bitrus Abednego, 22; and Lucky Anzaku, 20.
They are standing trial on charges bordering on conspiracy, robbery, stealing and assault.
All the seven accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Ruben Solomon, told the court that the accused and others still at large committed the alleged offences from June 19 to 22 between 8:40pm and 3am at Bush Bar, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Solomon alleged that the accused belonged to Arobaga and Aiye cult fraternity.
He said the accused robbed one Bright Chimeze of his Infinix phone valued N65,000 and a cash sum of N8,000 at knife point.
He said: “The accused, while parading themselves as members of Arobaga and Aiye confraternity respectively, unlawfully assaulted one Chimeze by assaulting him with dangerous weapons.
“They were also found polluting the atmosphere by smoking weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and made the environment harmful to the health of the public.
“They also prevented the public from carrying out lawful businesses in the area.”
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 41, 164 (a), 170, 287 (1), 296 (2) and 411of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Magistrate, A. M. Davies, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
Davies said one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendants, be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned to July 31 for mention.
Seven suspected cultists face robbery, assault charges
