…Petition alleges complicity, warns of fresh threats to life
…Solicitors demand arrest of fleeing suspects, probe of police conduct
Olayinka Akinpelu
A petition before the Ogun State Criminal Investigation Department has raised fresh concerns over alleged cult-related violence, police inaction, and an emerging threat to the life of a resident who was reportedly assaulted after refusing to join a confraternity.
The petition, submitted by solicitor Chief S.A Akinbami & Co, Legal Practitioners and Notary Public, As-Sa’adah Chambers and duly signed by J.O. Ogunbiyi on behalf of his client, Mr Dayo Aina, dated 15th April, details an incident said to have occurred on 25 March 2026 at Innovation Hotel and Bar, Alaraba, along the Lagos–Idiroko Road in Ogun State. It alleges that Aina was lured to the location by an acquaintance, Sodiq Oluwale, under the pretext of sharing drinks.
According to the document, events took a violent turn shortly after Aina arrived at the venue, where he met with Oluwale and three others identified as Hazzan Idowu, also known as Akile, Okikiola Odede, also known as Okiki, and one Yaro. The petition claims that Aina was subsequently isolated, forcefully taken into a room, and pressured to join a cult group believed to be linked to the Eiye Confraternity.
The situation escalated when he allegedly refused the demand.
The solicitors state that Aina was “violently assaulted, inflicted with grievous bodily harm, and administered unknown substances which rendered him unconscious,” adding that he regained consciousness the following day at his residence under unclear circumstances before being rushed to hospital for treatment.
The case was initially reported at Atan Divisional Police Station, where one of the suspects, Yaro, was arrested and reportedly made statements implicating others. However, the petition raises concerns over what it describes as a failure by the police to apprehend other named suspects.
“Surprisingly, the police failed, refused, and/or neglected to arrest the remaining suspects,” the petition stated, alleging further that the arrested suspect was later released following inducement, “thereby raising serious concerns of compromise, corruption, and obstruction of justice.”
The matter reportedly escalated on 8 April when the suspects, said to be acting alongside other members of the group, allegedly confronted Aina and issued threats to his life in retaliation for reporting the incident. This development, the solicitors noted, forced the victim into displacement due to safety fears.
“Our client has since been displaced from his residence due to persistent fear for his safety,” the petition added, warning that the principal suspects “remain at large and continue to pose a grave threat.”
Further claims in the petition point to alleged complicity by individuals said to be connected to the Innovation hotel, including its owner Mr Koleoso and another named Funmilayo Adebayo who are accused of harbouring arms and dangerous weapons for the group. The solicitors argue that despite being informed, the local police division failed to act on the intelligence.
“Credible intelligence available to our client reveals” alleged support structures for the group, the document stated, describing the situation as one requiring urgent intervention.
The petition also questions the handling of subsequent arrests made by security operatives, noting that although some suspects were later transferred to the State CID Anti-Cultism Unit in Eleweran, “no proper search warrant execution or recovery of arms and dangerous weapons was carried out.”
Against this backdrop, the solicitors are urging the State CID to take over the case and conduct what they describe as a “thorough, independent, and unbiased investigation.”
They further demanded the immediate arrest of fleeing suspects, a probe into the alleged misconduct of officers at Atan Divisional Police Station, and the recovery of illegal arms linked to the group.
“That all persons found culpable be prosecuted in accordance with extant laws” and “that adequate security protection be provided for our client forthwith,” the petition added.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Ogun State Police Command regarding the allegations.
