Two men posing as Islamic clerics face trial for defrauding a doctor of ₦280 million.
They allegedly warned him of death unless rituals were done to ‘fortify’ property funds.
Two men who claimed to be Islamic clerics have been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a medical doctor, Dr. Patrick Eloka Akaraiwe, of ₦280 million under the guise of performing spiritual rituals.
The defendants, Saheed Atanda Aremu, 44, and Tolani Osuolale, 48, were accused of deceiving the doctor into handing over $200,000 (equivalent to ₦280 million at the time) in three separate payments. They reportedly told the victim that the funds needed to be spiritually fortified before being used to purchase property. The duo allegedly warned that failure to conduct the rituals could result in the doctor’s sudden death.
The suspects, who presented themselves as “Alfas” or Islamic spiritualists, were brought before the court on Thursday on a five-count charge. The charges, filed by the police, include conspiracy, obtaining by false pretense, fraud, and stealing.
Police prosecutor Joseph Eboseremen told the court that the alleged offences occurred between November 19, 2020, and October 2023 in Ibadan, Oyo State, and in Oworonshoki, Lagos State.
Eboseremen said the two defendants misrepresented themselves as having supernatural powers to multiply money and prevent calamity. By exploiting this claim, they allegedly manipulated the victim into parting with the large sum of money.
The charges brought against them fall under various sections of Nigerian law, including Sections 8(a), 1(2), 1(3), 2(b), and 3(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, as well as Sections 516, 383, and 390 of the Criminal Code Act.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Following their pleas, the prosecutor asked the court to remand the defendants in custody pending trial and noted that the prosecution had not yet responded to a bail application filed by the defense team.
Justice Daniel Osiagor ordered that the two men be remanded in prison and adjourned the case until July 18, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application.
