Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo has signed the secret cult prohibition bill into law, approving 21-year jail term for cultists and their sponsors.

The Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, in a statement, explained that the previous law had been repealed to impose harsher punishments on cultists and their sponsors.

Ikhilor urged the public to take heed and avoid actions that were detrimental to the peace, growth and development of Edo state.

He said: ?It is hereby announced for the information of the public that the Edo State Secret Cult (Prohibition Law) 2018 has been repealed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

?By virtue of the repeal, the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025, has been passed by the Edo State House of Assembly, and signed into law by the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, effective from 24 January, 2025.

?Please be informed that in the new law, there are provisions for stricter penalties for anyone found guilty of secret cult-related offences in the state. Section 5 of the law prescribes 21 years of imprisonment for financial and material sponsors of secret cults.

?Additionally, Section 6 of the law provides for 10 years of imprisonment for those who knowingly harbour members of a secret cult or permit secret cult meetings or activities to take place in any house, building, or location under their control.?

Edo SSG also stated that in addition to the 10-year jail term for the people who harbour cult members, they would have their property confiscated and demolished by the State Government.

He said: ?Section 12 of the law clearly states: ?Any person found to be a cultist under Section 4, who assaults, injures, maims, or kills any person(s) or destroys any property in furtherance of the activities of any secret cult, is guilty of an offence and is liable to 21 years of imprisonment without an option of fine.

?In the case of a fatality, the perpetrator(s) shall be liable to the death penalty upon conviction, and any property in their name, as well as their places of residence, shall be confiscated and demolished by the state government.?

Many died with valuable property destroyed in needless cult wars in Edo, mostly involving youths. (The Nation)

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