LAGOS—An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, yesterday, remanded in prison custody two men, Elijah Adeyemi and Adebola Obafunwa, who were docked over illegal possession of arms and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

At their arraignment, the accused persons denied being armed robbers, but members of a cult, Eiye confraternity.

“Yes, we are members of Eiye confraternity, we are not robbers, our members just drink together and have fun, just like Kegites,” the accused said.

Adeyemi, 37, and Obafunwa, 27, of no fixed addresses, are facing a five-count charge of illegal possession of ammunition, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and unlawful association.

They both entered a not-guilty plea.

The prosecutor, Insp. Simon Imhonwa, however, told the court that the accused persons committed the offences on October 27, at 3.30p.m., at Oyebola St., Onipanu, Lagos.

Imhonwa said the accused persons were found with 12 rounds of live cartridges without any licence.

According to him, the accused were rounded up at their hideout where they had assembled to commit armed robbery.

“The accused were arrested at their hideout at Onipanu, following a tip-off.  About 12 rounds of live cartridges were found on them. They are also members of an unlawful secret society,” Imhonwa said.

He said the offences contravened Sections 36, 61, 296 and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, adjourned the case till January  28 for trial.