29-year-old Ekiti cultist to die by hanging for killing rivals

An Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, sentenced a 29-year-old cultist, Gbenga Aluko, aka Cherry, to death by hanging for masterminding the killing of some members of another cult.

Justice Abiodun Adesodun, who found the convict guilty of the charge preferred against him, sentenced him to death accordingly.

Justice Adesodun said, “The penalty for the offence committed and established against the defendant is death. He is hereby sentenced to death by hanging. May the Lord have mercy on your soul.”

Aluko was said to have been found on January 23, 2019, at Ado Ekiti found to be member of the Eiye Confraternity, contrary to Section 4 of the Secret Cult (Abolition and Prohibition) First Amendment Law No. 6, Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2017.

He and his cult members were said to have masterminded the killing of members of a rival group as well as involved in duping people, while pretending to be herb seller and political thug.

Among the victims were one person simply identified as Mercy on NOVA Road, Ado Ekiti, and another simply identified as Ajagbe at the Mugbagba area of the state capital.

Aluko identified some members of his gang as Yemi Effizy, AY Pumping, Wonderful, T Black and Femi, among others.

In the course of the trial, the prosecutor, Julius Ajibare, called two witnesses but tendered no exhibit.

The counsel for the defendant, Femi Adetoye, also called no witness.