A mother and her 34-year-old son have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for defrauding a Nigerian living in the United States (U.S) of ₦64.4 million through a fake spiritual intervention scheme.
The suspects, Ifeoma Joe and Chima Nmerem, who are facing a four-count charge including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and advance fee fraud, appeared before Judge P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, May 21.
According to the EFCC, between September and December 2024, the duo conspired to extort ₦64,486,180 from Felicia Ekwutasi Ikeh by falsely claiming the money was needed for spiritual cleansing and to influence law enforcement officers investigating a murder case involving her son in the U.S.
The funds were deposited into a bank account controlled by Nmerem.
Both accused pleaded guilty to the charges.
Although the prosecution, represented by K. U. Udus, informed the court that a witness was prepared to testify and requested the case be reviewed, Judge Ajoku adjourned the proceedings to Wednesday, May 28, citing time constraints and ordered the defendants to remain in EFCC custody.
The EFCC began investigating after the complainant reported that her sister had introduced her to Joe for spiritual prayers aimed at saving her son from imprisonment following the alleged killing of his sibling during a fight.
Joe claimed to have connections with renowned Nigerian cleric Uma Ukpai and impersonated him using a fake phone number to deceive the victim.
Posing as the cleric, Joe demanded ₦900,000 to be deposited at a church altar and subsequently convinced the victim to make further payments amounting to millions of naira for various fabricated spiritual rituals, including donations to orphanages and bribes to law enforcement officials.
The victim also paid the naira equivalent of $38,450 into Joe’s account.
Upon realizing the fraud, the victim reported the matter to the EFC