A herbalist, Ifawale Ibrahim, who allegedly duped three friends of N3.61 million on the pretext of performing for them money rituals, was on Monday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
The 47-year old accused, who resides at Olomowewe Adiyan Area of Ogun State, was arraigned for obtaining money under false pretences.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 26, at Ajisegiri Street, Ojokoro, Lagos.
Unah alleged that the accused obtained N3.61 million from the complainants – Aminatu Bello, Iyabo Popoola and Keji Lawal – with a promise to perform money rituals that would make them rich.
The prosecutor claimed that the complainants said that the accused also deceived them that they had to sleep with him to make the money ritual complete.
“Ibrahim who had no intention of doing any money ritual for the complainants converted the money to his own personal use.
“When the complainants later discovered that the accused had no intention of doing any money ritual for them, they reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested, ” Unah said.
The offence contravened Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 prescribes a 15-year- jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.
Ibrahim pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.O Gbajumo, granted the accused N500, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Gbajumo adjourned the case until Sept. 20 for mention.
