…Because of money, I sold my intergrity

By Daud Olatunji

“Had I known, I would have stayed indoors to shame the devil who did not want me to get married. Now, see what the devil has done to me. It destroyed my home. I have lost my husband”. With these words, a 20-year-old woman, who was arrested with some suspected cultists, lamented her fate.

Bose Christopher, mother of a three-year-old boy, betrayed emotions when being paraded along with 70 suspected cultists, armed robbers, murderers, kidnappers, ritualists, among others, at Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that Bose was arrested for her alleged involvement in cultism, 24 hours to her wedding ‘introduction’.

She was said to have given birth to the boy outside wedlock and had for three years been preparing for the aborted wedding.

The state Police Commissioner, CP Ahmed Illiyasu, said the suspect was arrested by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FSARS, during the initiation of cult members in a hotel.

According to Iliyasu, Miss Christopher had gone to the initiation ceremony with a boyfriend when she was arrested alongside other suspected cultists.

The suspect, who took her time to explain how it happened, said she did not know what came over her to participate in the alleged cult initiation.

She said, “It was in the evening, after I had left my work place for home in preparation for my introduction which was expected the following day. A male friend called me on phone that he needed my attention at a birthday party near his house around Oke-Yidi, Abeokuta. I didn’t hesitate since he promised to give me transport fare. I went there expecting to attend a birthday party.

“I never knew he was a cultist, because one of my friends introduced me to him two weeks before I was arrested. I knew nothing about him other than the visit to his house.

“Unfortunately, I arrived when his gang was having the meeting in his house. I hadn’t spent much time there when I started feeling uncomfortable. And I had to tell him I wanted to go home. He told me he didn’t have cash with him, adding that he would have to go to an ATM to get my transport fare and he left.

“While still waiting for him to return, the Federal SARS people came. Unfortunately, my friend’s fellow cult members all ran away while I was arrested. I explained my situation to the policemen, but they didn’t believe me. I regret my action. Because of money, I sold my integrity. I appeal to the authorities to temper justice with mercy. I have learnt my lesson.

“I met him (boyfriend) about two weeks ago and I never knew he is a cult member. He just called me after I closed from my place of work to join him at the party” .

The suspect, who claimed to be a fashion designer, disclosed that her groom stopped communicating with her after her arrest by the police.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the suspect has been arraigned along with other suspected cultists before a magistrate’s court sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta for allegedly breaching the peace.

The accused persons, reportedly identified as Black Axe, a.k.a Eiye Confraternity members, charged with conspiracy, peace breaching and felony, pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutor Sunday Eigbejiale said: “The accused did belong to unlawful secret society and also conspired in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace”.

Meanwhile, the accused persons were granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum while the case was adjourned.