Tawakalitu Ilumoka, who is an 88-year-old woman was defraud of N38 million by River goddess while seeking for her son’s healing.
The woman explained to court how she was defrauded by one Olorunfemi Ayodeji, who introduced her to the river goddess in Ondo State after she informed him about her son’s health who based in the United States of America. She sold a piece of land worth N100 million in the process of trying to raise money, which she gave Ayodeji out of it, but eventually the son died.
Ilumoka appeared before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday with tears in her eyes.
Ayodeji is currently facing a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.
According to Justice Dada, his act breaks Sections 1 (1)(a) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006, and stealing, contrary to Section 278 (1), (2) and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
She said, “I called Otunba (Ayodeji) and told him about my son’s health challenge, he said I had to bring him to Ondo State, Though I complained that Ondo is some distance from Lagos, I agreed because he insisted my son could only be treated in Ondo. “He, therefore, linked me up with some persons, namely Fakunle and Fabummi.”
She explained how she was taking to bush to meet the woman whom they called Ondo goddess, “They eventually took me to a thick bush, where there was a well-fenced house. I was scared and I asked them why I was brought there.”
“They then led me to a room in the house, filled with a pool of water. A woman came out of the water and they told me she was Olokun (river goddess). “I was asked to lower my head and was warned not to look at the goddess in the face.”
“They said Olokun wanted to give me money, but I declined, insisting that all I wanted was for my son to recover from the illness. “I couldn’t comprehend all that Olokun was saying, so they were the ones interpreting her words to me.”
“They later took me to another room, and they all entered one after the other, “They covered their faces with pieces of white clothes. When they mentioned my father’s and mother’s names, I was confused,”
She said subsequently, “they would call me and instruct me to remit different amounts of money from N5million, N11million, N10million into their account. I eventually paid them N36m,”
When she reported the matter to EFCC, Ayodeji was arrested and they were able to recover just N1.8 million from his account.
The case was adjourned till 30 September 2022, for the continuation of trial.
