Two women, who claimed to be prophetesses, but allegedly defrauded a businesswoman of N600, 000, on Thursday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The police charged Ifeoma Ogbonna, 43, and Uchechi Nwosu, 40, with defrauding Mrs Jane Chukwu in the guise of using divine powers to enrich her.
Ogbonna and Nwosu, who live in the Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos, are facing a three-count charge of stealing, conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Inedu, told the court that the accused approached Chukwu and asked her to bring N500,000 and her gold necklace worth N100, 000 to enable them to pray for her to become rich.
“The accused, who lured the businesswoman to a reclusive area on Coker Bridge, Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, promised to pray for her and neutralise all forces working against her progress.
“The accused said that they would use the money to buy some spiritual oil and other things for the prayer.
“The businesswoman, who could not see any changes as promised by the prophetesses, reported the matter to the police,’’ he said.
Inedu said that the accused committed the offences on June 25. According to him, the offences contravene Sections 285, 312 (1) (a) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that section 312 (1) (a) of the criminal law stipulates 15 years imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretences.
Both of the accused, however, pleaded not guilty.
Senior Magistrate Adeyemi Amos granted each of them bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
He said that the sureties must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
Amos fixed further hearing in the case for Nov. 13. (NAN)
Comments