Prophetess, teacher arraigned in Lagos for alleged N8m fraud, assault

On Monday, a 35-year-old prophetess, Folake Olasode, and a 31-year-old schoolteacher, Damilola Aboloyinijo, appeared before the Lagos State Magistrate Court in Tinubu on charges of allegedly creating a fake protective charm and defrauding a victim of N8 million.

The duo faces a five-count charge, including conspiracy, stealing, obtaining under pretences, unlawful assault, and breach of the public peace, as brought forward by the police.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Francis Igbinosa, the prosecutor, informed the court that Olasode and Aboloyinijo, whose residential addresses remain undisclosed, allegedly committed these crimes in May 2024. The incident reportedly took place at 7A, Jide Agbalaya Street, Chevy-View, in the Lekki area of Lagos.

According to Igbinosa, the accused, along with others still at large, deceived their victim, Sarah Umeh, by falsely claiming to prepare protective charms and perform rituals, including incisions on her and her three children, in exchange for N8 million. The prosecutor further alleged that the defendants unlawfully assaulted Umeh and her children by using a razor blade to make incisions on their bodies under the guise of protection from death.

In addition, the defendants were accused of disturbing public peace by burning charms in a calabash within Umeh’s compound.

The alleged offences violate Sections 411, 314, 287, 172, 287, and 168 (d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their defence counsel, Moses Enema, requested bail, emphasizing that his clients were first-time offenders. Magistrate Aderemi Gbajumo granted bail to the defendants, setting it at N750,000 each, with two sureties who must have a valid means of livelihood, identification, and Lagos State Residents’ Registration.

The case has been adjourned until October 14, 2024, for trial.