Fayose signs anti-cultism bill into law

• Prescribes death penalty for offenders

By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has signed into law, a bill which prohibits secret cults, terrorism.

The bill stipulates that any one caught in the act will get the death sentence.

Appending his signature to the bill at the Government House, in Ado-Ekiti, yesterday, Fayose said the signing was confirmation of the unwavering commitment of the state government to combating terrorism in the state.

Thereafter, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, the governor frowned at the resurgence of the scourge in the state, especially among students in tertiary institutions.

“From now, any person who is a member of a secret cult, whether or not the person is in possession or in control of any offensive weapon but commits the offence, is liable to conviction to death.

“Any person who gives financial or material support or assistance to a secret cult or, in any manner, sponsor activities of a secret cult, commits an offence under this law and is liable or conviction to imprisonment for life,” he said.

The governor further explained in the statement that anybody who intentionally encourages organising of secret cult meetings or activities in places such as houses, night clubs, hotels and other residential areas would be committed to life imprisonment.

He added that buildings where any cult-related activities are held would be forfeited to the state government, while the owner of such structure would be sentenced to five years imprisonment, without an option of fine.

The Ekiti State helmsman, who re-emphasised his administration’s zero tolerance for cultism and terrorism, said lives and property of the people would continue to be protected.

Three students of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, were killed within 10 days, in attacks suspected to be related to rivalry among cult groups.