The Lagos State House of Assembly passed a bill banning cultism and related illegal societies into law on Monday.

It targets cultists as well as parents/guardians, if found liable of shielding or failing to report their children/wards to relevant security agencies.

In details of the law seen by DAILY POST on Tuesday, anyone found guilty of engaging in cult activities would be sentenced to 21-year imprisonment.

It stipulates a 15-year jail term for anyone convicted of abetting cultists or who allows his premises to be used by cultists as a meeting place.

The law says the society shall be regarded as unlawful if its members carry out illegal, destructive activities contrary to public policy, safety and peace of members of the public.

Section 3 states: “Any person who is a member of an unlawful society or cult, identifies as a member or solicits for members of an unlawful society or cult, attends a meeting of an unlawful society or cult whether as a member or an intending member of the unlawful society or cult commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 21 years imprisonment.”

The section is also applicable to anyone who does any illegal act which may cause a breach of peace, disturb public peace or pose a threat to life and property.

“Anyone who forms, organises or combines and agrees with anyone to form or organise an unlawful society or cult, manages and assists in the management of an unlawful society or cult or knowingly allows a meeting of members of an unlawful society or cult to be held in any property under his control commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 15 years imprisonment” it added.

The 15-year jail term further applies to anyone who intimidates or compels people to join a cult group.

Furthermore, any person who injures or uses violence on a person to compel the person to join an unlawful society or cult, commits an offence and liable on conviction to a term of 21 years imprisonment.

Additionally, any person who administers or is present at and consents to the administering of any unlawful oath that appears to bind the person who takes it to become a member of an unlawful society or cult under this law, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to seven years.

The law stipulates 21 years imprisonment for any member of a cult group who sets fire on anything or uses firearms or deadly objects including acid and other chemicals in any manner as to cause harm to anyone.

For students in Lagos, the law prohibits campus cultism. Anyone convicted would face a jail term not exceeding two years.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to transmit the law to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.

DailyPost