Ogun targets cultism, ritual killings with four new security bills

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The Ogun State Executive Council has approved four executive bills aimed at strengthening the state’s criminal justice system and addressing rising security concerns, including cultism, ritual killings, violent crimes and cases of missing persons.

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The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta, saying the bills would soon be transmitted to the Ogun State House of Assembly for legislative consideration.

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Ogungbade said that the proposed legislation is part of the administration’s efforts to enhance public safety and improve the state’s legal framework for combating emerging criminal activities.

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The four bills approved by the Executive Council are the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies Bill, the Victims’ Rights Bill, the Human Sacrifice Prevention and Prohibition Bill, and the Missing Persons Bill.

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Ogungbade said the GLOVES Bill seeks to hold members of unlawful organisations jointly liable for crimes committed by any member in furtherance of the group’s objectives.

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He explained that “This Bill seeks to make every member of an unlawful organisation jointly responsible for all crimes perpetrated by any other member of the organisation in furtherance of the organisation’s goals.

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“This Bill targets the mere membership of proscribed and unlawful organisations and will hold to account every member for crimes committed by the organisation and its members to gain financial advantage or organisational supremacy”

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The Attorney-General explained that the Victims’ Rights Bill would establish, for the first time in Ogun State, a comprehensive legal framework for protecting victims of crime throughout the criminal justice process.

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He noted that while existing laws provide for compensation and restitution, they do not adequately address the needs of victims during investigations, bail proceedings, trials, incarceration or where suspects are not eventually prosecuted.

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According to him, the bill will also establish an executive office with a statutory mandate to advocate for and protect the rights of victims.

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On the Human Sacrifice Prevention and Prohibition Bill, Ogungbade said the legislation was designed to specifically criminalise ritual killings and human sacrifice beyond the provisions contained in existing criminal laws.

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He said, “This law targets human sacrifice and ritual killing. It attacks the industry as a whole and provides a legal structure for combating the practice as a specifically recognised crime rather than relying solely on existing offences such as murder and grievous bodily harm.

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“The existing laws were not crafted with human sacrifices and rituals in mind and are based on assumptions that may not always apply. This Bill fills those gaps and introduces modern legal tools for punishment.”

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Speaking on the Missing Persons Bill, the commissioner said investigations into missing persons often face legal and procedural challenges, particularly in accessing records, financial accounts and personal premises.

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He explained that the proposed legislation would provide a dedicated legal framework to facilitate investigations and remove ambiguities that sometimes hinder law enforcement agencies.

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“There is currently no standalone statute governing missing persons in Ogun State. This Bill creates a state-specific legal framework to support investigations and address conflicting legal provisions that may impede investigative enquiries,” he added.

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Ogungbade said the proposed legislation was conceived as part of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s agenda to strengthen security and sustain Ogun State’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading investment destinations.

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He said the administration recognised that sustained economic growth and investor confidence depended largely on a peaceful, secure and stable environment.

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“The Bills are aimed at strengthening the security framework of the State and ensuring the safety and protection of residents, businesses, indigenes and foreign investors,” the statement added.

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The commissioner said that the bills would be forwarded to the Ogun State House of Assembly in the coming days for consideration and possible passage into law.

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