MICHAEL AKINOLA
A self acclaimed 60-year old spiritualist, Fagbemi Ifakorede, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly obtaining the sum of N40m from a victim, Yimusa Adekunle, under the false pretence of offering him prayers.
The incident happened between April and September, 2023, at 66 College Road, Ifako Ijaiye area of Lagos.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Ifakorede, landed in trouble after he reportedly hypnotized the victim and obtained the said money in order to conduct deliverance prayers having earlier prophesied to him about an impending calamity, which he claimed will only be averted through the prayers he will offer.
He ordered the victim to pay the money, which he did between April and September, 2023, but he continued asking for more money and did not conduct the prayers.
The victim became suspicious and later realized that he has been duped. He then asked him to refund the money but he resorted to threatening the victim with charms.
According to Police sources, the suspect accosted the victim, gave him prophecies and in the process used charms to hypnotize him. He compelled the victim under oath not to tell anyone about what happened and then ordered him to pay the money in order to conduct the prayers to avert doom.
The victim believed him and paid the money with the hope that he would conduct the prayers and solve the problems which he was told were preventing his success.
However, after paying the money, the suspect and his other accomplices bolted away and did not conduct the said prayers. The victim’s condition worsened because he had spent all the money he had and it was then he realized that he was duped.
The matter was reported to the Police at Area G Command, Ogba and the suspect was arrested and detained at the Command for interrogation over his alleged criminal conduct.
During interrogation, the Police realized that he was not a prophet as he had claimed but a scammer. He was consequently charged before the Ogba Magistrate Court for conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and being possession of charms.
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Akeem Raji, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Chief Magistrates, Mrs. B.O. Osunsanmi, granted him bail with two sureties, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.