By Ogochukwu Isioma
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has signed the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025 passed by the state House of Assembly into law.
The development comes following the successful repeal of the Edo State Secret Cult (Prohibition Law) 2018 by the state assembly.
In a statement on Tuesday by Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., Secretary to the State Government, he said the new law became effective from 24th January, 2025.
Under the new Law, there is provision for stiffer penalties for anyone found guilty of secret cult related offences in Edo state.
“This new and stricter law which imposes harsher punishments on anyone engaged in secret cults related crimes, reaffirms the state government’s commitment to preventing illegal activities and strengthen security of life and property,” a government official noted.
Section 5 of the Law provides for twenty-one (21) years imprisonment for financial and material sponsors of secret cults.
Similarly, Section 6 of the Law provides for ten (10) years imprisonment for those who knowingly habour members of a secret cult or permit a secret cult meeting or activities to be held in house, building or place over which they have control. In addition to the ten (10) years imprisonment, such persons will have their properties confiscated and demolished by the State Government.
Also, Section 12 of the Law clearly states that, “Any person being a cultist under Section 4, who assaults, injures, maims, or kills any person(s) or destroy any property in furtherance of the activities of any Secret Cult, is guilty of an offence and is liable to Twenty-One (21) years imprisonment without an option of fine and in the case of any fatality, the perpetrator(s) shall be liable to death upon conviction and any properties in his name as well as his place of residence shall be confiscated and demolished by the State Government.”
“The general public is, by this notice, advised to be guided and desist from acts inimical to the peace, growth and development of Edo State,” the SSG noted.
