A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the remand in prison custody of 19-year-old Temple Udeme for allegedly engaging in cultism and assault.
Also remanded were Bassey Sampson, 23, Charles Earnest, 26, Godpower Joseph, 22, Lawrence Akpan, 28, Psalms Okorie, 24, Paul James, 26 and Francis Bassey, 21.
The suspects are alleged to be members of a cult group called ‘Icelanders’. They reportedly assaulted Nelson Earnest with a bottle, which caused him harm.
They were docked on a four-count charge of secret cult involvement and assault.
The charge was not read to them because the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter, hence they were not allowed to take any plea.
Our correspondent reports that the counsel to the accused urged the court to release them on bail, but the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Sokari Andrew-Jaja refused, saying they should seek the bail of the defendants at the high court.
He ordered the suspects to be remanded in prison custody.
The Prosecutor, Inspector Wilson Isaiah alleged that the suspects got involved in secret cult activities and assaulted Nelson on October 31 at about 11 pm at Ozuboko Ama in Port Harcourt Local Government.
According to him, their offences are punishable under Section 7 (c), 1 (2) of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibited Act No. 6 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 2004 and Section 355 and 209 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. II Laws of Rivers State 1999.
The case was adjourned till November 15 for mention.
