Femi Ashekun/
The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned a self-proclaimed pastor, Chibuzor Obi, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a victim of N125 million through a fraudulent spiritual cleansing scheme.
The suspect appeared before Justice Akintayo Aluko on a five-count charge, including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretenses, and theft.
Prosecuting counsel, Barrister Tijani Williams, informed the court that Obi and accomplices, still at large, committed the offenses between August and November 2024.
According to the prosecution, Obi deceived the victim, Michael Ogu, into paying N6 million and later N119 million under the guise of removing an “evil ring” and cleansing “evil spirits” from his U.S. dollars.
It was alleged that the victim was hypnotised during the fraudulent operation.
The prosecutor cited violations of Sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Act CAP Law of the Federation 2004.
Obi pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His defence lawyer, Barrister Augustine Nwagu, acknowledged the trial date request but argued for bail, submitting a formal application to the court.
Justice Aluko, after reviewing the arguments and citing legal precedents, granted bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety of equal value. The surety must own property within the court’s jurisdiction or have a credit balance exceeding the bail amount.
Pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions, Obi was ordered to remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). The trial is scheduled to commence on May 8, 2025.
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