Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested five herbalists caught with counterfeit foreign notes to the tune of $3,430 million and €280,000.
The five herbalists, Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan (female) and Familola Sunday Olaitan, were arrested for allegedly swindling one Halima Sanni the sum of ₦26.55 million.
According to EFCC, the five-member syndicate arrested were arrested on December 7 and 8, 2025 at their shrines in Osun and Lagos states, respectively, following a thorough surveillance and intelligence on their fraudulent activities
Investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly defrauding unsuspecting individuals of their legitimate earnings under the pretence of providing spiritual cleansing and solutions to different ailments.
They also allegedly assured their victims of their powers to conjure several currency notes which must be cleaned up by a genie through spiritual sacrifice before spending the money.
“They did all these by hypnotizing their victims to provide money for the sacrifice,” EFCC stated in a press release on Wednesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyawale.
Other items recovered from the five herbalists included two exotic cars and mobile phones.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded, it was stated in the press release.
