The Ogun State Government has unveiled a bold legislative initiative aimed at intensifying the fight against cultism, organised violence and extortion by proposing a law that will hold members of unlawful societies accountable for crimes committed in pursuit of their groups’ objectives.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), disclosed the proposal during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.
The proposed legislation, known as the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies (GLOVES) Bill, is one of four criminal justice reform bills recently approved by the Ogun State Executive Council for transmission to the State House of Assembly.
According to Ogungbade, the bills are designed to address weaknesses in the state’s criminal justice system and strengthen the government’s response to growing security threats, including cultism, ritual killings and organised extortion.
Explaining the GLOVES Bill, the Attorney-General said the law would introduce collective liability for members of unlawful societies, making them responsible for offences committed by fellow members where such crimes advance the objectives of the group.
He noted that prosecutors often face challenges in cult-related cases because suspects admit belonging to secret societies but deny participating in violent crimes carried out by other members. The proposed law, he said, is intended to close that gap and ensure that membership in criminal organisations carries legal consequences.
Ogungbade observed that cultism has expanded beyond tertiary institutions into communities, with artisans, traders and other professionals increasingly joining such groups, a trend he described as a serious threat to public safety.
The bill also proposes new evidential provisions that would allow investigators and prosecutors to rely on actions such as the distribution of cult-related materials or the promotion of unlawful societies as indicators of membership.
He assured residents that the legislation contains constitutional safeguards and drew parallels with legal frameworks adopted in other jurisdictions to combat organised crime, adding that stakeholders would have the opportunity to make inputs during the legislative process.
Beyond tackling organised crime, the state is also proposing a Victims’ Rights Bill, which will establish a Victims Support Office within the Ministry of Justice to provide counselling, rehabilitation and other support services for victims of crime.
If passed, the bill will guarantee victims access to information on investigations and prosecutions, notification whenever suspects are granted bail or released, protection from intimidation, and opportunities to seek compensation where applicable.
Ogungbade added that the proposed law would, for the first time, allow victims to address the court after conviction but before sentencing, enabling judges to consider the impact of offences on victims before determining appropriate punishment.
The Attorney-General said the reforms reflect the government’s commitment to strengthening public safety, improving access to justice and ensuring that both offenders and victims receive fair treatment under the law.
