The Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin has ordered that an Islamic Cleric identified as Muhammed Muritala and his accomplice, Olajumoke Fafemi, be remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre, Madala, Ilorin, Kwara State till February 2, 2023 for absconding with N30 million jewelry.
The two accused persons were charged on five counts charge of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, trespass, theft, and obtaining money under false pretence/fraud.
The prosecution alleged that the duo defrauded a woman, Muslimat Fagbemi, of the sum of N300,000 which they obtained fraudulently under the pretext of curing her of an ailment.
The prosecution also alleged that the accused persons stole the gold jewelry belonging to their victim which they claimed was contaminated by evil spirit.
The offences according to the prosecution contravened sections 97, 312, 348, 287 of the penal code and 1(3) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act of 2006 and punishable under the same laws.
Police First Information Report revealed that the complainant, Muslimat Fagbemi, said Olajumoke introduced Muritala to her as a cleric who could heal her of her leg disease.
“The duo conspired and fraudulently collected N300,000 from the complainant under false pretence to cure her leg disease.
“The duo conspired and fraudulently collected N300,000 from the complainant under false pretence to cure her leg disease.
“On February 2, 2022, you, Muhammed Muritala, also went to the complainant’s house and deceived her to bring all her gold jewelries outside to enable you to spray them with spiritual water because of an evil spirit in her room and she placed them on her bed.
“You then handed her a bottle of prepared prayer water and instructed her to go and wash her leg at the backyard of which before she returned, you (and Olajumoke) absconded with her gold jewelries valued at N30m,” the charge sheet added.
The prosecutor, Gbenga Ayeni, said Muritala confessed that she conspired with Olajumoke to defraud the complainant of N300,000 and that they both trespassed into the complainant bedroom and absconded with the jewelries.
He said police investigation had led to the recovery of part of the stolen jewelries.
In his ruling, Magistrate Gbadeyan Kamson who presided over the case ordered that the two accused persons be kept in remand and adjourned the case till February 2, 2023 for continuation of hearing.