EFCC Cracks Down on Five Herbalists in Osun and Lagos Over Counterfeit $3.4M and €280K Notes (Photos)
Operatives from the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have seized a large stash of counterfeit foreign currency from a five-member syndicate reportedly defrauding unsuspecting victims through so-called 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 careful surveillance and intelligence operations.
EFCC investigations indicate that the group allegedly swindled one victim, Halima Sanni, out of ₦26,550,000 (Twenty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).
The suspects reportedly enticed victims with promises of spiritual cleansing and solutions to personal problems, claiming they could magically produce large amounts of money through supernatural powers.
The commission stated that the suspects allegedly hypnotized their victims into handing over money for “sacrifices” needed to activate these supposed spiritual powers. During the raid, the 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 currency, along with two luxury cars and multiple mobile phones.
The EFCC confirmed that the suspects will be charged in court once investigations are complete.
In May 2025, the EFCC apprehended Abdullahi Yahaya and Ibrahim Haruna in Kaduna for allegedly trafficking in counterfeit currency.
Authorities recovered $81,700 in fake $100 bills from the suspects.
During questioning, Haruna claimed he was holding the counterfeit dollars for someone named Babangida, who remains at large. Yahaya explained that he was connected to Haruna through another individual, Kabiru, who intended to collect the fake money for delivery to a buyer.
The EFCC also seized a small quantity of a colorless substance, believed to be mercury, reportedly used in producing counterfeit dollars.
The case raises concerns about how many Nigerians are being defrauded under the guise of spiritual cleansing and rituals. Combating this problem will require stronger public awareness campaigns about the dangers of fake spiritual services, tighter regulation of occult practices, and stricter enforcement against fraudulent syndicates.
