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ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Government has proposed a legislation that would hold members of unlawful societies criminally liable for offences committed by their groups in furtherance of their objectives, as part of sweeping reforms aimed at tackling cultism, organised violence and extortion.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, disclosed this during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.
Ogungbade explained that the proposal is contained in one of four criminal justice reform bills recently approved by the Ogun State Executive Council for transmission to the Ogun State House of Assembly.
According to him, the bills are designed to address emerging security threats, including cultism, ritual killings and organised extortion, while strengthening the state’s criminal justice system.
At the centre of the legislative package is the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies Bill (GLOVES Bill), which seeks to establish collective criminal responsibility for members of unlawful or proscribed organisations.
“We have come up with four bills, which the Executive Council approved last week for presentation to the House of Assembly for passage into law,” Ogungbade said.
He explained that prosecutors often face challenges securing convictions in cult-related murder cases because suspects admit membership of secret societies but deny participating in killings carried out by other members.
“Essentially, one of the bills is the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies Bill, which we have referred to as the GLOVES Bill.
“So what we seek to do with this bill is to have the law now hold every member of an unlawful society responsible for crimes committed, in furtherance of the objectives of that unlawful society.
“If you willingly take the oath of a secret society and you know its objectives, you can no longer hide under the claim that you were merely a member and did not participate in the killing.”
Ogungbade said the proposed legislation became necessary because cultism has expanded beyond tertiary institutions into communities across the state.
“Cultism has now moved beyond the walls of tertiary institutions, particularly in Ogun State. We now have artisans, bricklayers and vulcanisers becoming active members of cult groups, and experience has shown that they are even more deadly than those operating within campuses,” he said.
The Attorney-General added that the bill introduces new evidential provisions that would allow prosecutors to rely on certain conduct as proof of membership in unlawful societies.
According to him, individuals who deliberately disseminate propaganda for a secret society or are found in possession or distribution of cult-related paraphernalia may be deemed members under the proposed law.
“If you deliberately participate in disseminating information or propaganda for an unlawful society, or you are found with and distributing paraphernalia of a secret society, you cannot turn around to claim you are not a member,” he stated.
He expressed confidence that the House of Assembly would subject the bill to public scrutiny by inviting stakeholders to make inputs during legislative consideration.
Responding to concerns that the doctrine of group liability could infringe constitutional rights, Ogungbade maintained that adequate safeguards had been built into the legislation.
He said the state drew inspiration from international legal frameworks used to combat organised crime, particularly anti-mafia laws in the United States, while ensuring the proposed legislation remains consistent with constitutional provisions.
“Along the way, there will be judicial interpretations, and we will, at the end of the day, get to the point where certain provisions will be upheld as being in compliance with the Constitution,” he said.
Victims’ Rights Bill
The Attorney-General also announced plans to establish a Victims Support Office under a proposed Victims’ Rights Bill, aimed at improving support services for victims of crime and strengthening confidence in the justice system.
The office, to be domiciled within the Ogun State Ministry of Justice, will provide psychological counselling, rehabilitation services and case support for victims.
“The beauty of this bill is that we will now have a one-stop office within the Ministry of Justice that will cater to the needs of victims,” he said.
