Police arraign two prophetesses over fake charm, N8m fraud

The Lagos State Police Command on Monday arraigned two prophetesses, Folake Olasode and Damilola Aboloyinijo, before a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in the Tinubu area of the state.

They were arraigned for allegedly preparing fake charm and defrauding one Mrs Sarah Umeh of N8 million.

Police Prosecutor, ASP Francis Igbinosa, in a five-count charge brought against the duo, alleged that they conspired with others at large last month at No. 7A, Jide Agbalaya Street, Chevy-View, Lekki, to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, trial by ordeal, assault and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The charge reads: “That you, Folake Olasode, Damilola Aboloyinjo and others at large on the same date, time and pace in the aforesaid Magisterial District did obtain the sum of N8,000,000 from one Sarah Umeh under the pretence that you prepared charms, bather and put incisions on her and her three children for protection, a representative you knew to be false.

“That you, Folake Olasode, Damilola Aboloyinjo and others still at large on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did unlawfully assaulted one Sarah Umeh and her three children by putting incisions with razor blades on their bodies with representation that you are protecting them from death.

“That you, Folake Olasode, Damilola Aboloyinjo and others at large on the same date and place in the aforesaid Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by burning charms contained in a calabash in the compound of one Sarah Umeh.”

The police said the offences committed by the two defendants are punishable under sections 168d, 172, 287, 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges after it was read to them in open court.

Following the application for bail by their lawyer, Mr Moses Enema Magistrate A.O Gbajumo granted them bail in the sum of N750k each with two sureties who amongst other conditions, must have a valid means of livelihood and valid means of identification.

The matter was adjourned till October 14, 2024 for trial.