The attorney general and commissioner for justice Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko, has said that the state government prosecuted over 400 cult-related cases since cultism was outlawed in the state since March 2018.
Nwoko who stated this in Uyo however said some of the proscribed groups especially the small ones, had morphed into new groups and adopted new identities.
“I have about 18 of them, because those new names are not on our prosecution list and I am going to come up with new ones soon,” he said.
He said the prosecution of the cultists was made possible following the proscription of different cult groups in the state.
The commissioner said one of the greatest problems facing the state at the inception of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration was the proliferation and institutionalisation of cultism in the state.
He added that the governor was advised, through his ministry, to take a proactive step against them.
“I have also been able to study the terrain of Akwa Ibom State and I have discovered that one of the problems facing the state is the proliferation and almost institutionalisation of cult activities.
“So, I advised the governor that he should take a proactive step against cultism in the state.
“In March last year, through the assistance of the security agencies, we identified 32 cult groups and I listed them out and gave a proclamation order and his Excellency proscribed the 32 cult groups under the cultism and other violent behaviour prohibition order.”
“Out of these 32 cult groups, 19 were operating in secondary and primary schools and you can imagine the number of innocent children initiated into cultism across the state.
“By Section 70 of the criminal code, you cannot prosecute somebody for belonging to a secret society or cult group without first proscribing that society or cult group. So, what we have achieved is that we made it illegal and prosecutable,” he said.
He explained that when the proscription of the groups was recommended, some people advised against it with the excuse that it was election period and that the governor would need the groups to achieve his electoral success.
“But the governor bluntly told them that the future of an Akwa Ibom child was more important to him than his second term ambition. He said even if that would make him to lose the election, so be it. So, I can tell you clearly that Udom Emmanuel will not knowingly invite a cultist to join his campaign team,” he added.
It would be recalled that Emmanuel signed the ‘Cultism and Other Violent Behaviour (Prohibition) Order, 2018,’ an offshoot of Criminal Code Law Cap. 38, Vol. 2, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2000 of the state.
The proscribed groups included Vikings, Black Axe, KKK, Buccaneers, Mafia, Luttox (Junior Black Axe), Debam, Dew Pirates Confraternity, Icelanders, Red Skins, Pirates, AMORC, Akwa Marines and Utoto Groups (419).
Others include groups found in secondary and primary schools such as the Luttox, The Red Skins, St. Stephens, Dewell, Sept 11 Group, Secret Sons of Satan, King Cobra, J.V (Junior Vikings), Bats, Predators, Black Ladies, Black Cross, Scavengers, Skylolo, Sons of Nights, Blood Brotherhood, Junior Buccaneers, White Angels; and Musket.
