Cleric defrauds friend of N9.5m

A 34-year-old man, who poses as a Muslim cleric to defraud gullible
Nigerians has been arrested by operatives of the Special Fraud Unit,
SFU, Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding one of his victims of N8
million.
The suspect, identified as Isiaka Adeleke, popularly known asAlfa, was
said to have collected the sum from a childhood friend, who came for
prayers for the expansion of his business.
The complainant, who reportedly took the N8 million loan to expand his
dwindling business, told operatives that he confided in Adeleke that
he intended to use the money to buy a truck for his business.
However, in the process, Yusuf was said to have demanded for the money
to enable him go into the spiritual realm to tackle spiritual forces
hindering the success of his friend's business.
However, the victim returned a week later as instructed, only to
discover that Yusuf had changed residence.
Spokesman for the Unit, Ngozi Isintume-Agu, said that Yusuf's arrest
was effected in Ilorin, KwaraState, following a petition by the
complainant.
She said: "The complainant stated that he was defrauded in March and
effort to reach Yusuf had been abortive as his phones were all
switched off.
"The complainant further stated that theAlfa, under the pretense of
selling a LEXUS 300 Car imported from USA to him, obtained additional
N1.5 million and later registered the said vehicle in his name. He
alleged that the total money collected from him by the suspect was
N9.5 million."
'How I spent the money'
Adeleke, who was paraded weekend, admitted to have collected the sum
and pleaded to be given time to refund the money.
Asked what he used the money for, he said: "I used part of it to buy
two cars, a Toyota Camry and a Mercedez Benz and also completed my
building project in Ilorin, while I shared the balance among my fellow
Alfas in Ila-Orangun, OsunState.
"I tricked him into believing that I can double the money. I
instructed him to put the money inside a box in my room and leave it
for seven days, while he takes the key with him.
"However, unknown to him, I had a spare key which I later used to
unlock the box and absconded. All I beg for is to be given time to pay
back the money."
Isintume-Agu advised members of the public to be wary of the likes of
Yusuf when seeking spiritual help from so-called religious clerics,
"as most of them are wolves in sheep's clothing."