Following the Oro cult group’s defying of court order of imposing day-time curfew on residents, a group of Christian and Islamic clerics in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State has petitioned the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The recent petition, signed by their lawyers Samson Kayode and David Folalu alleged that the cult group informed residents in the Idiroko axis of the state, including Ipokia, that the day-time curfew would start today (Friday) and end on Sunday.

The petition alleged that the cult group had the backing of the monarch of Idiroko, Oba John Olakunle Ojo.

“This however is against the January 30, 2018 ruling of the Ogun State High Court, sitting in Ipokia, that the cult group has no constitutional powers to declare or impose day-time curfew in the area,” the petition indicated. They appealed to the state government to prevail on the monarch and the traditional authorities in the area to intervene to avert religious crisis in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice S.M. Owodunni had ruled in favor of the petitioners in suit no: M/8/2017 opposing the rights of the Oro cult group to declare and impose curfew on the residents of the communities.

The ruling declared that the cult group and its supporters lack the statutory and or constitutional power to declare and or impose a day time curfew on the applicants or nay other citizens/residents in Ipokia, Idiroko, Ihunbo, Ifoyintedo, Ogosa, Koko, Ilashe, Ibatefin, Agosasa, Oniru, Mede and Ajegunle and villages thereunder for the purpose of celebrating oro festival.

“Imposition of day time curfew on the applicants or any other citizens/residents is unlawful and unconstitutional as same violates the rights of the applicants. Oro festival can only be celebrated between the hours of 12 a.m. –  4 a.m. in the midnight subject to the government’s approval and undertaken to maintain peace.”

By Samuel  Mayowa