A37-year-old citizen of the Republic of Benin, Gbese Peter, has been arrested by men of Ogun State Police Command for allegedly defrauding a couple of N5 million.
Peter defrauded his victims, Mr & Mrs Bamigboye Alao, under the pretence of helping them to overcome their spiritual problem and shielding their children from untimely death.
Disclosing this to Reporters At Large in a statement, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi said that the suspect was arrested following the complaint lodged at Sabo police station by Mrs Bamigboye, who said that she and her husband met the suspect about five years ago when he started discussing with them about a serious spiritual calamity awaiting them and their children if an urgent spiritual step was not taken.
“Out of fear of the unknown, they agreed to embark on the said spiritual journey and he took them to the Republic of Benin where he gave them a wooden coffin which he instructed them not to open until he asked them to do so,” Oyeyemi said the victim told the police.
She was said to have stated further that the suspect started collecting money from them, until they coughed out N5million.
“When they realized that they had been swindled, the shock led to the death of her husband.
“Upon the report, the Divisinal Police Officer, Sabo Division, SP Nicholas Tamunoinom detailed his detectives to go after the suspect, and with the help of members of public, they succeeded in arresting him on July 25, 2020.
“On interrogation, the suspect confessed to collecting money under false pretence from the couple but claimed that he only duped them of N3.5million and not N5milion, as claimed by the woman.
“The suspect further disclosed that he had used the money to build a house for himself,” the PPRO added.
Recovered from the suspect were a wooden coffin containing white cloth and other substance, a horn wrapped with white cloth and beads.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Edward A. Ajogun ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for proper investigation and diligent prosecution.
