The Ogun State Government is seeking to overhaul its criminal justice framework by introducing new laws that hold members of unlawful societies accountable for offenses committed by their groups. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, announced that these reforms also include the establishment of an office dedicated to supporting crime victims.
The State Executive Council has cleared four new bills designed to combat rising security issues, including cultism, ritual killings, and organized extortion. These legislative proposals are now headed to the Ogun State House of Assembly to modernize existing penal codes.
Central to this initiative is the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies (GLOVES) Bill. Ogungbade explained that prosecutors currently struggle to secure convictions for cult-related violence because suspects often admit to group membership while denying personal participation in specific killings. The GLOVES bill aims to change this by establishing collective criminal responsibility for any act committed to further the goals of an unlawful organization.
Ogungbade emphasized that cult activity in Ogun has spread far beyond university campuses to include laborers such as bricklayers and artisans, who he noted are often involved in more dangerous operations. The proposed law also simplifies the process of proving membership in secret societies by allowing authorities to use the possession of cult-related items or the spread of group propaganda as evidence.
Public and stakeholder input will be solicited as the bills move through the legislative process, marking a significant shift toward a more aggressive stance against organized crime.
