Photos: EFCC busts ‘herbalists’, recovers $3.43m, €280,000 fake cash in Osun, Lagos

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested five suspected fraudsters, described as herbalists, over the alleged possession of counterfeit foreign currencies valued at $3.43m and €280,000 in Osun and Lagos states.

The suspects were arrested on December 7 and 8, 2025, at their shrines in Osun and Lagos states following intelligence-led surveillance.

Those arrested were identified as Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan and Familola Sunday Olaitan.

According to the EFCC, the suspects allegedly defrauded a victim, Halima Sanni, of N26.55m under the pretence of offering spiritual cleansing and remedies for various ailments.

 

“They deceived unsuspecting members of the public with claims of supernatural powers to conjure huge sums of money, which they insisted must undergo spiritual cleansing by a genie before it could be spent,” the commission said in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

The anti-graft agency added that the suspects allegedly hypnotised their victims to part with money for the purported rituals.

Items recovered from the suspects included two exotic vehicles and mobile phones.

The EFCC said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.