A 33-year-old man, Ishola Balogun, was arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates' Court on Thursday over allegations of conspiracy, membership of an unlawful society, and illegal possession of a firearm. The charges stem from an incident on February 14 at about 2.00 p.m. in the Afro Media area of Okokomaiko, Lagos. Balogun is accused of conspiring with others to engage in cultism and unlawfully possessing a locally made single-barrel pistol. The prosecutor, Superintendent of Police Josephine Ikhayere, stated the charges were filed under Section 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015, and the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021. She identified the group as the Eye Confraternity, described in court as an unlawful society. Ikhayere added that Balogun was found in possession of the firearm without lawful authority, an offence under Sections 4 and 6 of the Firearms Act. She noted the cultism law carries a sentence of between 20 years and life imprisonment, while firearm offences attract at least 10 years' imprisonment without an option of a fine. Balogun pleaded not guilty to all counts. Magistrate Lateef Owolabi ordered him remanded in custody. The case was adjourned to May 20, 2026, for mention.
Ishola Balogun faces a 20-year minimum sentence for cultism, yet the same law and charges apply to others still at large who allegedly conspired with him—raising questions about why only he is in custody. The prosecution's emphasis on the severity of punishment contrasts with the absence of arrests for his alleged associates. Nigerians named in such charges who remain free may interpret the selective remand as arbitrary enforcement. This discrepancy risks undermining public trust in the consistency of justice delivery.
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