Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a self-styled spiritualist, Odigie Moses, in Ekpoma, Edo State, over an alleged $1,100 extortion involving an Indian woman seeking spiritual intervention.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Friday, Moses allegedly presented himself as a spiritualist with supernatural healing powers and offered to help the woman overcome what she believed were life-threatening challenges.
The commission said the woman, who was seeking spiritual assistance, contacted the suspect for help. Moses allegedly used the opportunity to demand and obtain $1,100 from her under the guise of providing spiritual solutions.
The arrest, the EFCC said, followed investigations into the alleged transaction and the circumstances surrounding the payment.
According to the EFCC, the suspect allegedly deceived the woman into taking part in a naked spiritual bath, which he recorded without the consent of the victim.
The suspect later threatened to release the video publicly unless the victim paid him off.
“The suspect subsequently deceived her into taking a naked spiritual bath, which he recorded live without her permission, and thereafter blackmailed her to send him money, else he would make the video public,” the EFCC said.
The commission also disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen that investigations into the matter showed that the victim eventually paid $1,100 to the suspect in an attempt to prevent the release of the video, which contained her nude image to the public.
The EFCC said the suspect would be prosecuted in accordance with the law after investigations are concluded.
