A 47-year-old herbalist identified as Ifawale Ibrahim has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Lagos for allegedly duping three friends of N3.61m under the pretense of performing money rituals.
Ibrahim, a resident of Olomowewe Adiyan Area of Ogun, was arraigned on Monday on a one-count charge of obtaining money under false pretense.
Police prosecutor, Sergeant Mike Unah told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 26, at Ajisegiri Street, Ojokoro area of the state.
He said the alleged herbalist obtained N3.61m from the complainants, Aminatu Bello, Iyabo Popoola and Keji Lawal with a promise to perform money rituals that would make them rich.
Unah informed the court that the complainants said Ibrahim also deceived them that they had to sleep with him to make the money ritual complete.
According to the prosecutor, “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 committed by the 47-year-old contravened Section 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
When the charge was read, Ibrahim, however, pleaded not guilty.
Following his not guilty plea, the presiding Magistrate, Mrs A.O Gbajumo, granted Ibrahim bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She consequently adjourned the matter till September 20.
