A 37-year-old national of Benin Republic, Gbese Peter, been arrested by men of the Ogun State Police Command for defrauding a couple, Bamigboye Alao, of N5 million under the pretence of helping them to overcome their spiritual problem and shielding their children from untimely death.
The spokesman of the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
Oyeyemi said the suspect was arrested following the complaint lodged at Sabo Police Station by Mrs. Bamigboye, who reported that she and her husband met the suspect about five years ago when he started discussing with them about a serious spiritual calamity awaiting them and their children if an urgent spiritual step was not taken.
Out of fear of the unknown, they agreed to embark on the said spiritual journey and he took them to the Republic of Benin, where he gave them a wooden coffin, which he instructed them not to open until he asked them to do so.
She stated further that the suspect started collecting money from them, until they coughed out the total sum of N5 million.
When they realised that they have been swindled, the shocked led to the death of her husband.
Upon the report, the DPO Sabo Police Division, SP Nicholas Tamunoinom, detailed his detectives to go after the suspect.
With the help of members of public, they succeeded in arresting Peter on July 25, 2020.
On interrogation, the suspect confessed collecting money under false pretence from the couple, but claimed he only duped them of N3.5 million and not N5 million as claimed by the woman.
He said he has used the money to build a house for himself.
Recovered from Peter were a wooden coffin containing white cloth and other substance, horn wrapped with white cloth and beads.
The Commissioner, Ogun State Police Command, Edward A. Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation and diligent prosecution.
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