The Lagos state government is set to deal with members of unlawful societies and cults with a new bill being considered by the state House of Assembly.
The bill entitled; “A Bill For A Law To Provide For The Prohibition of Unlawful Societies And Cultism In Lagos State And For Other Connected Purposes,” went through public hearing Thursday at the Assembly pavilion.
The law states that any person who by any means of intimidation, harassment, blackmail or threat of violence, compels any person to join an unlawful society, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 15 years.
The bill prohibits people from forming, organising or belonging to any cult society, and states that once the activities of the society is inimical to the peace of the society, it is a secret society.
It added that any person who in order to compel a person to join an unlawful society, at or immediately after communicating to the person to join the unlawful society or any other person, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 21 years.
“Any student or member of any educational institution must not belong to any group or society that is not registered with the student affairs department of a university or any educational institution in the state,” the bill read.
It added that any association or society of students on campus or any other educational institution whose activities are inconsistent with the promotion of learning, social development and citizenship behaviour shall not be registered.
On arrest, the bill states that police officers or any other person may arrest without warrant any person who commits an offence against the law.
Earlier in his welcome address, chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC, Victor Akande, said the Lagos parliament has institutionalised public participation on law making through public hearing.