Ogoni monarch, 63, lands in prison custody over cultism

A 63-YEAR-OLD monarch in Ogoniland, King Taalor Tornwe, has been remanded in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre by the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Rivers State for alleged involvement in cultism.

King Tornwe was arraigned before Chief Magistrate A.O. Amadi-Nna by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, harbouring, financing and giving material supports to cultists.

The traditional ruler and others at large were alleged to have committed the crime on June 5, 2021, at Kono Boue community in Khana local council of the state.

The Charge No. PMC/91C/2022, read: “His Royal Highness, King Tornwe, allegedly conspired with others to commit felony to wit (cultism) and committed an offence punishable under Section 7 (C) of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Laws of Rivers State No. 6 of 2018 as amended.”

Count two accused the monarch of allegedly harbouring one Christian Kina (alias Abarima), “knowing him (Christian) to be a member of Deywell secret cult and committed an offence punishable under Section 3 (b) of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Laws of Rivers State No. 6 of 2018 as amended.”

On count three, the police accused the monarch of “providing financial and material assistance to members of Iceland cult group, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 2 (I) of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Laws of Rivers State No. 6 of 2018 as amended.”

No plea was taken and the court referred the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice on the case.

The Chief Magistrate ordered that the accused person should be remanded in custody pending the outcome of the DPP advice.