By Sunday Ameh
The Ogun State Government has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of its criminal justice system with the introduction of the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies (GLOVES) Bill, a legislation aimed at making members of unlawful societies criminally liable for offences committed in furtherance of their groups’ objectives.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), disclosed this on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu.
Ogungbade said the proposed legislation is one of four criminal justice bills recently approved by the Ogun State Executive Council for transmission to the State House of Assembly to strengthen public safety and close loopholes in the state’s criminal justice system.
“We have come up with four bills, which the Executive Council approved last week that we should present to the House of Assembly for passage into law,” he said.
According to him, the GLOVES Bill seeks to tackle the challenge of prosecuting cult-related crimes by introducing the principle of group liability, making every willing member of a proscribed society accountable for crimes committed to advance the group’s objectives.
“Essentially, there are four and these have been carefully crafted to address gaps we have identified in the criminal justice system. The first is what we know as the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies Bill, which we have referred to as the GLOVES Bill,” he explained.
He noted that although many suspects admit belonging to secret societies, they often deny involvement in murders or violent crimes committed by fellow members, making successful prosecution difficult.
“So what we seek to do with this bill is to have the law hold every member of an unlawful society responsible for crimes committed in furtherance of the objectives of that unlawful society. If you willingly take the oath of a secret society and know its objectives, you can no longer hide under the claim that you did not participate in the killing,” Ogungbade said.
The Attorney-General observed that cultism has expanded beyond tertiary institutions into communities, with artisans, bricklayers, vulcanisers and other groups increasingly participating in violent cult activities.
“Cultism has now moved beyond the walls of tertiary institutions, particularly in Ogun State. We now have artisans, bricklayers and vulcanisers becoming active members of cult groups, and experience has shown that they are even more deadly than those operating within schools,” he stated.
He added that the bill introduces new evidential provisions that would allow prosecutors to rely on conduct such as the dissemination of cult propaganda or possession and distribution of cult paraphernalia as evidence of membership in unlawful societies.
“If you deliberately participate in disseminating information or propaganda of an unlawful society, or you are found in possession and distribution of paraphernalia of a secret society, you cannot claim not to be a member,” he said.
Ogungbade assured that stakeholders would have the opportunity to make contributions during legislative deliberations, describing the bill as a decisive response to the growing threat of cult-related violence.
Responding to concerns that the proposed group liability provisions could infringe on constitutional rights, he maintained that adequate safeguards had been built into the legislation. He said the government drew inspiration from international legal frameworks, including laws used in the United States to combat organised crime, while ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s Constitution.
The Attorney-General also announced plans to establish a Victims Support Office under the proposed Victims’ Rights Bill to provide psychological counselling, rehabilitation services and legal support for victims of crime.
“The beauty of this bill is that we will now have a one-stop office, domiciled in the Ministry of Justice, that will cater to the needs of victims,” he said.
He explained that the proposed law would guarantee victims compassionate treatment, timely information on investigations and prosecutions, notification when suspects are granted bail or released, protection from intimidation and access to compensation.
Ogungbade further disclosed that victims would, for the first time, be allowed to address the court after conviction but before sentencing, enabling judges to consider the impact of offences on victims before determining punishment.
“The victim will have a say. The victim can state exactly how he or she has been impacted by the conduct of the offender. That is also an innovation contained in this law,” he said.
He added that the legislation would formalise collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs while creating a dedicated office to coordinate rehabilitation, counselling and other support services for victims across Ogun State.
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