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Two self-proclaimed Islamic clerics have been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a medical doctor of ₦280 million under the pretext of conducting spiritual prayers to "fortify" the money.
The accused, 44-year-old Saheed Atanda Aremu and 48-year-old Tolani Osuolale, allegedly deceived Dr. Patrick Eloka Akaraiwe into handing over $200,000 in three separate tranches. They reportedly claimed the money needed spiritual cleansing before it could be safely used for property acquisition, warning the doctor of potential death if he failed to comply.
The duo were arraigned on Thursday on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and stealing, brought against them by the Nigeria Police.
Prosecution counsel, Joseph Eboseremen, told the court that the offences were committed between November 2020 and October 2023 in both Ibadan, Oyo State, and Oworonshoki, Lagos State. He said the defendants posed as spiritual intermediaries with powers to multiply money and protect their victim from misfortune.
The charges, according to the police, violate Sections 8(a), 1(2), 1(3), 2(b), 3(c), 516, 383, and 390 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004, and the Criminal Code Act, 2006.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, the prosecutor requested that the court fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in custody. While the defence lawyer confirmed that a bail application had been submitted and served to the prosecution, the prosecutor requested additional time to respond.
Presiding Judge Justice Daniel Osiagor subsequently ordered the remand of the defendants at the correctional facility and adjourned the matter to July 18, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application.
The case has drawn public interest as yet another example of alleged spiritual fraud targeting unsuspecting victims under the guise of religious or mystical interventions.