The arraigned suspects

Cyriacus Izuekwe

Six persons, including a masquerade, have been arrested and charged before a Magistrate’s court in Ejigbo for allegedly attacking the palace of a traditional ruler in Ejigbo, Lagos State western Nigeria.

The arraignment attracted the presence of the Oba of Ejigbo, Oba Moruf Ojoola and the residents to the court on Monday. They went to witness the arraignment of the suspects for breach of public peace in the community.

However, they were disappointed as they did not see any masquerade, only human beings were brought to court and arraigned!

TheNEWS gathered that when the Police arrested the masquerade and the mask was removed, the police discovered that it was Fatai Oluwa who was the ‘spirit’ inside, allegedly causing mayhem in the area with other members of the cult. Oluwa was charged with the alleged offence the masquerade committed under the criminal Code.

The cultists’paraphernalia

Apart from Oluwa, five other persons were also charged before the court with the same offence.
They are Jelili Atiku, Lasis Muraina, Adede Goloba and two other females, Daramola Jelilat and Monsurat Fasola.

According to the police, the suspects, sometimes in 14 January 2016, along Ifoshi road Ejigbo did conduct themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace.

TheNEWS gathered that the group members were throwing stones and bottles at the palace before the Police intervened.

The police also alleged that the suspects and others at large went round the area, intimidating the public and circulating a publication to provoke the community against the monarch and leaders of Ejigbo community.

Ejigbo residents at the court to witness the arraignment

They allegedly committed the act by using unlawful masquerade and cult called Aragamago to attack the palace of Oba Moruf Ojoola, the traditional ruler in the area. While they were perpetrating the act, the police rounded some of them up and others escaped. The suspects arrested were charged to court where they pleaded not guilty.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs J.O.E Adeyemi, granted them bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum. They were remanded in prison custody pending when they will perfect their bail condition. The matter was adjourned till 1 February 2016.

However, Oba Ojoola declined to speak to the press at the court