A 41-year-old man, Augustine Ofunini Igbinovia, was arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court on charges bordering on alleged conspiracy to commit felony, threat to kill, and membership of an unlawful society.
According to the charge sheet marked No. 1-1-115/20 filed by the Commissioner of Police, the incident allegedly occurred on 30th March, 2026, at about 8:27pm along Governor’s Road, Ikotun area of Lagos, within the Lagos Magisterial District.
Count One alleged that the defendant and others still at large conspired amongst themselves to commit felony, specifically membership of an unlawful society, an offence contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count Two alleged that on the same date, time and place, the defendant and others now at large threatened to kill one Dickson Igbinovia and other members of his family. The charge sheet stated this was allegedly done by sending and displaying a picture of the defendant standing with a gun to one Annabel Yehudan.
The alleged threat to kill is punishable under Section 232 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015, according to the prosecution.
In Count Three, the Police alleged that the defendant belonged to the “Buccaneer Secret Confraternity”, a cult group proscribed by law as an unlawful society in Lagos State. The offence is contrary to Section 2(3)(a)(b)(c)(d) of the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law of Lagos State, 2021.
The charge sheet listed the complainant as Mr. Dickson Igbinovia, while the Investigating Police Officer was identified as ASP Enotie Saturday of the Command Tactical Squad, State Headquarters, Ikeja.
According to court proceedings, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all three counts. The prosecutor, Josephine Ihkayere, asked the court for a hearing date to enable the Police to present evidence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. L.A. Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N700,000 with two sureties in like sum. The court ordered the sureties to provide evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment, with addresses to be verified.
The matter was adjourned till 18th June, 2026, for hearing. The defendant was remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending perfection of bail conditions. The Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, is prosecuting the case.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly warned against cultism and unlawful societies, stating that such activities attract severe penalties under the Unlawful Societies Prohibition and Cultism Law, 2021. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
