The Ogun State Executive Council has approved four new executive bills aimed at strengthening the state’s criminal justice system and addressing growing security challenges, including cultism, ritual killings, violent crimes and cases of missing persons.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta, saying the bills would soon be forwarded to the Ogun State House of Assembly for consideration.
He explained that the proposed laws are part of the government’s efforts to improve public safety and modernise the state’s legal framework to effectively respond to emerging criminal threats.
The four bills approved by the council are the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies Bill, the Victims’ Rights Bill, the Human Sacrifice Prevention and Prohibition Bill, and the Missing Persons Bill.
Ogungbade said the Group Liability for Offences of Violence, Extortion and Secret Societies (GLOVES) Bill is designed to make members of unlawful organisations accountable for crimes committed by any member in pursuit of the group’s objectives.
According to him, the bill targets secret societies and criminal groups by ensuring that individuals cannot escape responsibility by claiming they were not directly involved in offences carried out by members of the organisation.
He said the Victims’ Rights Bill would establish Ogun State’s first comprehensive legal framework for protecting victims of crime throughout the criminal justice process.
The commissioner noted that while existing laws provide for compensation and restitution, they do not sufficiently address victims’ needs during investigations, court proceedings, bail processes, incarceration or situations where suspects are not prosecuted.
He added that the bill would create a statutory office responsible for advocating for and protecting the rights of crime victims.
On the Human Sacrifice Prevention and Prohibition Bill, Ogungbade said the legislation would specifically criminalise ritual killings and human sacrifice, providing stronger legal tools to tackle the practice.
He explained that existing criminal laws were not originally designed to address ritual-related crimes, creating gaps that the new bill seeks to fill.
“This Bill attacks human sacrifice and ritual killing as a specific crime rather than relying only on offences such as murder and grievous harm,” he said.
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The commissioner also highlighted the importance of the Missing Persons Bill, saying it would provide a dedicated legal framework to support investigations into missing persons cases.
He explained that law enforcement agencies often face challenges accessing records, financial information and personal properties during investigations due to the absence of specific legislation.
According to him, the new bill would remove legal uncertainties and improve the ability of security agencies to handle missing persons cases effectively.
Ogungbade said the proposed laws align with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to strengthening security and maintaining Ogun State’s position as a preferred destination for businesses and investors.
He stressed that economic growth and investor confidence depend on a peaceful and secure environment.
The commissioner added that the four bills would be transmitted to the Ogun State House of Assembly in the coming days for legislative review and possible passage into law.
