- EFCC arrests five herbalists over fake foreign currency
- Counterfeit haul includes $3.4m and €280,000
- Victims lured with fake spiritual cleansing promises
- Arrests carried out in Osun and Lagos shrines
The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC has dismantled a five-member syndicate accused of using fake spiritual services to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians, recovering millions in counterfeit foreign currency during coordinated raids.
The suspects: Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan, and Familola Sunday Olaitan were arrested on December 7 and 8, 2025, at their shrines across Osun and Lagos States, following months of intelligence-led surveillance.
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EFCC investigators revealed that the group allegedly swindled one victim, Halima Sanni, of ₦26.55 million, after promising spiritual cleansing and supernatural solutions to financial and health problems.
According to the commission, victims were hypnotised and persuaded to part with money for so-called “sacrifices” needed to activate mystical powers capable of producing large sums of cash.
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“The suspects deceived victims with claims of spiritual cleansing and supernatural money rituals,” the EFCC disclosed.
During the operation, officers recovered $3,430,000 and €280,000 in counterfeit notes, alongside two exotic cars and several mobile phones believed to have been used in the fraud.
The EFCC confirmed that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
In a related case earlier this year, the commission arrested two suspects in Kaduna over fake $81,700 notes, highlighting the growing link between counterfeit currency and ritual fraud schemes in Nigeria.
