Police arraign pastor for alleged N1.4m ‘spiritual cleansing’ scam

A cleric, Pastor Emmanuel Okwedimbu, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for obtaining N1.4 million under false pretences from one Amobi Charles.
Okwedimbu of no fixed address was arraigned on a six-count charge of fraud, theft, felony, threat to life, breach of peace and infringement.
The Prosecutor, Sergeant Babaji Ishaku, told the court that the accused did conspire with others now at large to commit felony and stealing.
“The accused on August 10, at Alhaji Monsuru Street, Ejigbo, a suburb of Lagos, did obtain N1.4 million from Amobi Charles under the pretext of spiritual cleansing.
“The accused also threatened to kill the complainant if he let out the deal,’’ Ishaku told the court.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 2, Cap 4552, 166(1) (d), 166 (2) and 306 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty.
The Magistrate, Mrs J.O Adeyemi, granted bail to the accused with two sureties, who must be gainfully employed and verifiable addresses.
Adeyemi adjourned the case till Nov. 16, for mention.