A 35-year-old prophetess, Folake Olasode, and a 31-year-old schoolteacher, Damilola Aboloyinijo, were arraigned on Monday before a Lagos State Magistrate Court on charges related to an alleged fake charm scheme and the theft of N8 million from a victim.
The duo face five counts of conspiracy, stealing, obtaining by false pretense, unlawful assault, and breach of public peace, as brought against them by the police.
The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Francis Igbinosa, informed the court that Olasode and Aboloyinijo, along with others still at large, allegedly committed the offenses in May 2024 at 7A, Jide Agbalaya Street, Chevy-View, Lekki, Lagos.
Igbinosa stated that the defendants deceived one Sarah Umeh by claiming to prepare protective charms for her and her three children, a false representation that led to the unlawful obtaining of N8 million. The prosecutor also alleged that the defendants used a razor blade to make incisions on the victims' bodies, falsely claiming it would protect them from death.
Additionally, the defendants were accused of conducting themselves in a way likely to breach public peace by burning charms in a calabash within Umeh’s compound.
The charges against the defendants are said to contravene Sections 411, 314, 287, 172, and 168(d) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015).
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their counsel, Moses Enema, requested bail, arguing that his clients were first-time offenders and should be granted bail on lenient terms.
Magistrate Aderemi Gbajumo granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N750,000 each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must have a valid means of livelihood, proper identification, and provide evidence of Lagos State Residents’ Registration. The court also ordered the verification of their addresses by the prosecutor.
