Police in Ebonyi State on Friday arraigned two men, Onwe Mgboro, 38, and Onyebuchi Mgboro, 28, before an Abakaliki Magistrate Court for alleged cassava theft.

The defendants, who allegedly stole cassava from Sunday Agbo’s farm, are also accused of being members of a cult group known as the Viking Brotherhood.

They were charged with theft, cultism and malicious damage.

The defendants, whose pleas have not been taken by the court, do not have a fixed address.

State Counsel David Njoku said the defendants committed the offense on February 15, 2024 at Eguele Umuezeaka, Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area of ​​Ebonyi State.

Mr Njoku said the defendants conspired with each other and committed the offences.

He said the offense in count one is punishable under Section 516 A (a) of the Penal Code, Cap 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi, 2009.

“Number two, the defendants really belonged to a secret cult group known as the Brotherhood of the Vikings.”

“The offense is contrary to section 3 (1) (3) and (4) and punishable under section 5 of the Ebonyi law which prohibits secret worship.

“In three, they stole cassava worth N300,000, the property of Sunday Agbo, “m” and the offense is punishable under section 390 (9) of the Ebonyi Penal Code.

“Number four, the defendants unlawfully and willfully removed and damaged the marker used by the plaintiff (Agbo) to control his landed property,” Mr Njoku said.

The counsel, Igboke Chinedu, prayed the court to grant the defendants bail.

The magistrate, Ojemba Isu-Oko, dismissed the bail application, saying the court had no jurisdiction to grant bail.

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He ordered that the case file be sent to the Prosecutor’s Office for legal advice.

Mr. Isu-Oko also ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Abakaliki Correctional Center and adjourned the matter to December 6.

(NAN)