The Nigeria Police on Friday brought three men before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan, accusing them of being members of an unlawful group known as the Eye Confraternity and illegally possessing a firearm.
The defendants—Okunade Habeeb, 25; Raji Wasiu, 30; and Junaid Afeez, 25—are facing four charges, including conspiracy, unlawful association, public disturbance, and illegal firearm possession.
According to the prosecution, led by Cpl. Akeem Akinloye, the alleged crimes took place on November 4, 2024, and January 23, 2025, around 11:00 p.m. in Eruwa and the Polytechnic area of Ibadan.
Akinloye stated that the accused persons attempted to recruit new members into the Eye Confraternity and unlawfully gathered in a forest at Eruwa for a meeting.
He further alleged that on November 4, the first defendant, Habeeb, was found with a locally made gun and six cartridges but failed to provide a valid explanation for possessing the weapon.
The charges were brought under Sections 64(a), 249(D), 430, and 516 of the Oyo State Criminal Code, 2000.
The defendants pleaded not guilty. Their lawyer, Idowu Adebayo, requested that they be granted bail.
Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted bail to each defendant at N200,000, with two sureties in like sum. She also ruled that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the accused.
The case was adjourned until March 27 for further proceedings.
