Matilda Omonaiye/
What began as a quest for spiritual help allegedly ended in a £15,800 transaction, a police petition and a criminal prosecution after a British woman travelled thousands of kilometres to Ibadan, Oyo State, in search of deliverance and traditional treatment.
At the centre of the unfolding case is 65-year-old native doctor, Sikiru Mojereola, who has been hauled before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court, Ibadan, over allegations that he obtained about N29.2 million from British citizen Lydia Villandre under the guise of providing spiritual deliverance and traditional medicine.
Mojereola is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and conversion. He has pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution’s account paints the picture of an unusual cross-border encounter stretching from the United Kingdom to the ancient city of Ibadan.
Prosecuting counsel Olapeju Durodola told the court that Mojereola allegedly conspired with other suspects still at large between July 2025 and July 2026 to commit the offences.
According to the charge, the crucial contact came on July 12, when Mojereola allegedly persuaded Villandre, who lives in the United Kingdom, to travel to Nigeria for what was presented as spiritual deliverance from problems troubling her.
But there was another powerful attraction to the proposed spiritual intervention.
Villandre’s daughter was reportedly battling epilepsy, and the native doctor allegedly promised to prepare traditional medication that would help the child.
The prosecution alleged that Mojereola assured the British woman that the spiritual exercise would resolve her personal problems and that the traditional treatment would bring healing to her daughter.
Apparently convinced, Villandre travelled to Nigeria.
It was after her arrival that the transaction at the heart of the criminal case allegedly unfolded.
Investigators say Mojereola collected £15,800, estimated by the prosecution at approximately N29.2 million, from the woman in connection with the promised services.
But according to the charge presented before Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, the anticipated solution never materialised.
The prosecution alleged that after receiving the money, Mojereola failed to provide the promised spiritual services and traditional medication.
Attempts by Villandre to recover her money or obtain the promised treatment allegedly proved unsuccessful.
The matter subsequently moved from the spiritual realm into the hands of law enforcement when the British woman petitioned the police.
Police investigators eventually brought Mojereola before the court.
On the first count, he is accused of conspiring with others still at large to commit a felony. The second alleges obtaining money by false pretence, while the third concerns the alleged conversion of the money to his own use.
Durodola told the court that the alleged offences contravened provisions of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000, including Section 383, and are punishable under Sections 390(9), 419 and 516.
Mojereola denied the allegations. His lawyer, K.O. Oyesola, immediately moved for bail, arguing that his client had a fixed address in Ibadan and would neither abscond nor interfere with the investigation.
Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties must own property within the court’s jurisdiction, live in Ibadan and produce evidence of property ownership and tax clearance. Their particulars are also to be verified by the court registrar.
Until those conditions are perfected, Mojereola is to remain at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
The case was adjourned until September 4, 2026, for hearing.
Villandre is expected to testify as prosecutors attempt to establish how a search for spiritual intervention allegedly culminated in the loss of £15,800 and a criminal investigation spanning two countries.
For detectives and prosecutors, the central questions will now move beyond claims of spiritual powers: What exactly was promised? What was the money paid for? What happened after payment? And can the prosecution prove that deception existed from the beginning?
Those questions will ultimately be determined by the evidence placed before the court.
Mojereola remains presumed innocent unless and until proved guilty.
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