Operatives from the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, have arrested an Islamic cleric of the Ansarullai Youths and his wife for allegedly arranging with a native doctor to swindling US-based Nigerian couple whopping sum of N105m for purported deliverance prayer in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 43-year old cleric, Alhaji Afeez Uthman, allegedly conspired with his 59-year old wife, Alhaja Mushirafat Kikelomo, and the native doctor, Ramon Temidayo Uthman with others at large and allegedly hypnotized the victim and duped him to the tune of the said sum over the past 13 years.
Apart from duping him of the said money, the suspects led by Afeez Uthman Imoleayo, also falsified the complainant’s children’s birth certificates and also compelled the complainant to relinquish all his properties to him and took custody of his wife for those years.
This was disclosed by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zone, Muhammed Ali, who paraded the suspects and confirmed that they were in Police custody undergoing interrogation over their alleged criminal conduct.
AIG Ali stated, “On July 17, 2023, Mr. Animashaun Oluwasegun, also known as Afeez Uthman, brought a petition of criminal conspiracy, compelling action by intimidation obtaining by false pretence, threat to kill, suspected ritualist, stealing, criminal charms and conducted to cause to breach of peace against one Alhaji Afeez Uthman Imole Ayo and Alhaja Mushirafat Kikelomo Salaam, Saheed Ajayi Uthma Temidayo Rashmon and others at large”.
“Based on the petition, the AIG detailed detectives from the Zonal Anti-Piracy Unit, who immediately swung into action and got the suspects arrested namely (1) Alh. Afeez Uthman Imoleayo, (2) Mr. Ramon Temidayo Uthman (3) Saidi Ajayi (4) Alhaja Monsurat Salami (5) Kikelomo ‘f’ and others who are still at large who conspired, abducted the complainant’s wife and children through which the total sum of One Hundred and Five Million Naira (105,000,000.00) was obtained with a written threat to kill the complainant and his family members.”
The Police boss also stated; “Consequently, when the principal suspect Alh. Afeez Uthman Imoleayo was interrogated, he admitted the allegations against him for obtaining the alleged sum of One Hundred and Five Million Naira (N105,000,000.00).”
“He also converted Model 2004 Chevrolet Rain Blazer SUV valued $9,700 USD equivalent to Five Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N5,600,000.00) and abducted the complainant’s wife and three children for twelve years, changed their vital documents such as birth certificates etcetera belonging to the complainant in connivance with his wife, Alhaja Kikelomo and one Saidi Ajayi, his driver.”
“The modus operandi of the suspect is by pretending to be a prayer partner with his victims as he is a strong member of an Islamic society called Ansarullai Youth at Ikorodu, Lagos.”
“He uses spiritual concoction for bathing and drinking with the pretence that it will pave the way for his victims, and also make them take an oath that they should not disclose to anyone.”
“In the interim, investigation is still ongoing, suspects will be charged to Court of competent jurisdiction, at the end of investigation, please.”
The Islamic cleric however, denied the allegation levied against him saying “I did not force him (the complainant) to give me the money”.
He also admitted that the victim changed the name on all his family’s vital documents to his but denied forcing the US-based man to do so.
“I was not happy when he changed the names on his property as well as the surname of his children and wife to my name,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Police recovered Toyota Corolla, Venza and two buses said to have been obtained from the victim under false pretence and they were kept as exhibits at Zone 2 Command.