Two self-proclaimed Islamic clerics, Saheed Atanda Aremu and Tolani Osuolale, were on Thursday arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged ₦280 million fraud involving a Lagos-based medical doctor.
The duo, who claim to be “Alfas” (Muslim spiritual leaders), were arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, on a five-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud, obtaining under false pretences, impersonation, conspiracy, and stealing.
At their arraignment, both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to the police, the alleged scam occurred between November 2020 and September 2023, primarily in Ibadan, Oyo State, and the Oworonshoki area of Lagos State.
The defendants allegedly deceived one Dr Patrick Eloka Akaraiwe, a medical doctor, into believing that his money needed to undergo spiritual cleansing before it could be safely used for property acquisition, warning that failure to perform the spiritual rites would result in his untimely death.
In addressing the court, counsel for the prosecution, Mr J.I. Eboseremen, told the judge that the defendants induced the victim to part with a total of $200,000 (approximately ₦280 million) in three tranches for the so-called rituals.
He urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending trial and stated that while the defence had filed a bail application, the prosecution was still within time to respond with a counter-affidavit.
In response, counsel for the defendants confirmed that the bail application had been served on the prosecution earlier in the day. However, no objection was raised to the remand request.
Justice Osiagor adjourned the case to July 18, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered the remand of the defendants at the Nigerian Correctional Centre.
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