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Islamic Cleric Arraigned for Alleged N28M Fraud

Published

Friday, October 25, 2024 at 03:28 PM

Written by Daukoru Grey

Islamic Cleric Arraigned for Alleged N28M Fraud

A 37-year-old Islamic cleric, Lateef Oladigbolu, was brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday, accused of defrauding a baker of N28 million under the guise of performing special prayers.

Oladigbolu, a resident of Onikere, Ifo in Ogun State, faces charges of conspiracy, breach of peace, obtaining money under false pretenses, and issuing threats to life. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The prosecution, led by John Iberedem, alleged that Oladigbolu and his accomplices, who remain at large, committed these offenses on four different occasions on December 15, 2021, February 24, 2022, September 21, 2022, and April 18, 2024 at Kollington Bus Stop in Alagbado, Lagos.

Iberedem told the court that the defendant deceived the complainant, a baker, by promising to conduct special prayers that would boost his business.

The complainant was introduced to the defendant in December 2021 for the supposed spiritual intervention. Over the next few months, Oladigbolu allegedly instructed the baker to transfer a total of N28 million into various bank accounts, including GTB, Access Bank, UBA, FCMB, Polaris Bank, as well as digital payment platforms like Opay, Palmpay, and Moniepoint.

In addition to the cash transfers, the baker was reportedly led to believe that sacrifices were necessary for the prayers to work. Oladigbolu, along with his accomplices who posed as herbalists, demanded goats, sheep, and pigeons from the baker for sacrificial rites.

When the complainant realized that he had been conned by a group of fraudsters, he confronted Oladigbolu and refused to give any more money. According to the prosecutor, this refusal led to threats from the defendant and his cohorts. They allegedly threatened to kill the baker and his family using charms if he disclosed their activities to anyone.

The alleged crimes violate Sections 56, 174, 314, and 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015. Notably, Section 314 prescribes a sentence of up to 15 years for obtaining money under false pretenses.

The Magistrate E. Kubeyinje granted Oladigbolu bail in the sum of N2 million, with two responsible sureties of the same amount. The sureties must be gainfully employed and provide evidence of tax payments, verification, and affidavits of means. The case was adjourned for further hearing.

Edited By: Manasseh Paul-Worika

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Islamic Cleric Arraigned for Alleged N28M Fraud

A 37-year-old Islamic cleric, Lateef Oladigbolu, was brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Friday, accused of defrauding a baker of N28 million under the guise of performing special prayers.

Oladigbolu, a resident of Onikere, Ifo in Ogun State, faces charges of conspiracy, breach of peace, obtaining money under false pretenses, and issuing threats to life. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The prosecution, led by John Iberedem, alleged that Oladigbolu and his accomplices, who remain at large, committed these offenses on four different occasions on December 15, 2021, February 24, 2022, September 21, 2022, and April 18, 2024 at Kollington Bus Stop in Alagbado, Lagos.

Iberedem told the court that the defendant deceived the complainant, a baker, by promising to conduct special prayers that would boost his business.

In addition to the cash transfers, the baker was reportedly led to believe that sacrifices were necessary for the prayers to work. Oladigbolu, along with his accomplices who posed as herbalists, demanded goats, sheep, and pigeons from the baker for sacrificial rites.

The alleged crimes violate Sections 56, 174, 314, and 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015. Notably, Section 314 prescribes a sentence of up to 15 years for obtaining money under false pretenses.

The Magistrate E. Kubeyinje granted Oladigbolu bail in the sum of N2 million, with two responsible sureties of the same amount. The sureties must be gainfully employed and provide evidence of tax payments, verification, and affidavits of means. The case was adjourned for further hearing.

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