A Benin High Court in Edo State has remanded three men in police custody over allegations of involvement in cult activities.
The suspects — Sunday Stephen, 29; Destiny Omogiaho, 22; and Ebenezer Aboiralor, 26 — are facing a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and membership of a secret cult group.
The remand order was granted following an ex parte application filed by the police prosecutor, Emmanuel Ekibade, who urged the court to allow the suspects to remain in custody for 14 days to enable the police complete their investigations.
Ekibade told the court that the defendants allegedly conspired on December 25, 2025, at Ogueka Community, within the Benin Judicial Division, to belong to secret cult groups identified as the Marphite and Black Axe Secret Cult Supreme Confraternity.
According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences violate Sections 412(1) and 4(1) of the Edo State Criminal Law, 2022, as well as provisions of the Edo State Secret Cult and Similar Related Offences Prohibition Law, 2025.
He argued that granting the application would not infringe on the rights of the accused persons.
Justice Williams Azeigbemhin, who presided over the matter, approved the request and ordered that the suspects remain in the custody of the Edo State Police Command.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until August 18 for further proceedings.