A High Court in Onitsha has sentenced Akinyola Ogundale, a self-proclaimed native doctor, to a total of 31 years in prison for defrauding a woman through deception and spiritual manipulation.
Justice D.A. Onyefulu delivered the judgment on Monday, convicting Ogundale on two counts related to obtaining money by false pretences and fraudulent conversion. The offences contravene Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act and Section 383(1) of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. 36, Laws of Anambra State, 1991.
The court heard that in July 2024, the victim, Juliet Onabe, encountered Ogundale while traveling from Onitsha to Ondo for business. Ogundale falsely claimed he could perform rituals to make her wealthy, and through threats and psychological pressure, extorted over N5 million from her and her relatives.
Evidence presented during the trial included bank transfer records, statements, and Ogundale’s own extra-judicial confession admitting to receiving money under the guise of spiritual services. Witnesses testified that the defendant repeatedly threatened the victim with death if she failed to provide additional funds, causing her to borrow money from various sources.
Ogundale initially absconded after being granted bail, but the court continued proceedings in absentia in accordance with **Section 177(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
Justice Onyefulu sentenced Ogundale to 21 years for obtaining money by false pretences and 10 years for fraudulent conversion, totaling 31 years behind bars.
