The Police Special Fraud Unit, SFU, has arrested an Islamic cleric, Yusuf Adeleke, for allegedly duping a man of N8 million.
The police said that it acted upon a petition sent to the Commissioner of Police SFU by a complainant alleging that Mr. Adeleke absconded with his money after receiving it for a seven day “most befitting special prayers from Allah.”
Mr. Adeleke, 34, a native of Ilorin, admitted to the crime and said he shared the proceeds with fellow ‘alfas’ (Islamic clerics), according to the police.
“The victim alleged that sometime in March, 2013, he took a loan facility of N8 million with intention to purchase a truck to facilitate his business,” the SFU said in a statement by Ngozi Isintume-Agu, its Public Relations Officer.
“Having confidence in the clergy who happens to be his childhood friend, he approached him for prayer and blessing for successful business venture.
The suspect commended his wisdom and instructed that he should bring the money for seven days most befitting special prayers from Allah. The complainant obeyed as instructed and gave the N8 million to the so-called Alfa, only to come back after seven days to discover that the Alfa had relocated to Ilorin and switched off all his contact,” said the police.
According to the complainant, Mr. Adeleke, under the pretence of selling Lexus 300 car imported from the US to him, obtained another N1.5 million, and then registered the vehicle in his name.
The complainant further alleged that Mr. Adeleke used the money collected from him – totalling N9.5 million – to build a four bedroom apartment as well as purchase a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota Camry.
“The suspect was arrested and he admitted that he tricked the complainant into believing that he can double the money,” the police statement said.
“He confessed that he instructed that the money should be put in a box in his room, unknown to the complainant that he has a spare key which he later used to unlock the box and made away with the money.
He admitted that he used part of the money to buy cars and to complete his building in Ilorin, Kwara State, while the remaining balance was shared among his fellow Alfas in Ila-Orangun in Osun State. He pleaded for mercy and promised to refund the whole money collected.”
The police said that Mr. Adeleke would be charged to court “soonest.”
