Crime
PHOTOS: EFCC arrests 5 herbalists with fake $3.4m, €280k notes in Osun and Lagos
Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have uncovered a massive haul of counterfeit foreign currency from a five-member syndicate allegedly swindling unsuspecting victims under the guise of spiritual services.
The suspects – herbalists Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan, and Familola Sunday Olaitan – were arrested on December 7 and 8, 2025, at their shrines in Osun and Lagos States, following months of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
EFCC investigations revealed that the group allegedly defrauded one victim, Halima Sanni, of ₦26,550,000 (Twenty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).
They reportedly lured victims by promising spiritual cleansing and solutions to ailments while claiming they could conjure large sums of currency through supernatural means.
According to the commission, the suspects hypnotised their victims to hand over money for “sacrifices” required to activate these spiritual powers. During the operation, EFCC recovered $3,430,000 (Three Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Thousand US Dollars) and €280,000 (Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Euros) in counterfeit notes, along with two exotic cars and several mobile phones.
The EFCC has stated that the suspects will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.
In May 2025, the EFCC arrested Abdullahi Yahaya and Ibrahim Haruna in Kaduna for allegedly dealing in counterfeit currency.
The EFCC recovered $81,700 in fake $100 notes from the duo.
During interrogation, Haruna claimed he was holding the counterfeit dollars for someone named Babangida, who is still at large. Yahaya said he was linked to Haruna by another individual, Kabiru, who also wanted to collect the fake dollars for delivery to a buyer.
The EFCC also seized a small amount of a colourless substance, believed to be mercury, which is reportedly used in producing counterfeit dollars.
How much do you think Nigerians are being tricked by fake spiritual cleansing, and how can this problem be stopped ?
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