- Safiu Kehinde
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has nabbed five herbalists over alleged fraud and possession of fake foreign notes.
They were arrested by operatives attached to the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency.
As disclosed in a statement issued on EFCC’s official X handle, the syndicates were apprehended at their respective shrines in Lagos and Osun states after allegedly swindling on Halima Sanni of the sum of N26.5 million.
Also uncovered in their shrines during the operation was huge counterfeit foreign notes to the tune of $3.4 million and €280, 000.
According to the statement, the herbalists identified as Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan (female) and Familola Sunday Olaitan. were arrested on December 7 and 8 following a thorough surveillance and intelligence on their fraudulent activities.
Investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly defrauding unsuspecting individuals of their legitimate earnings under the pretence of providing spiritual cleansing and solutions to different ailments.
They also allegedly assured their victims of their powers to conjure several currency notes which must be cleaned up by a genie through spiritual sacrifice before spending the money.
They did all these by hypnotizing their victims to provide money for the sacrifice.
Other items recovered from them include two exotic cars and mobile phones.
The EFCC vowed to charge the suspects to court as soon as investigations are concluded.