Three suspected ritualists were on Tuesday arraigned before an Ijebu-Igbo Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ogun for allegedly being in possession of human parts.
The police prosecutor, Cpl. Adeola Adeyemi, alleged that the suspects, David Amos, Kehinde Rufai and Dandola Owotomo, were arrested on Jan. 22 in Idode community in Ijebu-North East Local Government.
The suspects were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit felony and murder, and for being in possession of a human tongue.
The suspects, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Gani Odusanwo, prayed the court to grant the suspects bail on liberal terms.
Citing the 1999 constitution as amended, Odusanwo said that mere suspicion was not enough to justify filing charge of conspiracy and felony against the accused persons.
He argued that sentence for conspiracy was only 14 years imprisonment and not death by hanging as portrayed by the prosecutor.
Adeyemi urged the court to turn down the bail application and remanded them in prison because they were facing a serious offence under the law.
Ruling on the application, Magistrate Olusegun Adebo admitted the accused persons on bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties in like sum.
According to the court, one of the sureties must be a level 13 officer in the state civil service.
The magistrate said the sureties must also submit four passport photographs and evidence of tax payment to the court.
He adjourned the case to April 22 for hearing.