By Gloria Drealomalicha
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man, Adewale Ogoemi Arojah, for allegedly impersonating a popular cleric on Facebook and defrauding unsuspecting worshippers of more than ₦18 million under the guise of offering prayers and spiritual assistance.
The suspect was arrested by operatives of the Ilaro Division following a complaint that someone had created a fake Facebook profile using the identity of Prophet Dr Muyiwa Akogun to deceive members of the public.
According to the police, the complaint was lodged on October 3 by Akogun, who said people had contacted him over fraudulent activities allegedly being carried out in his name through the duplicated account.
Acting on the report, the Divisional Police Officer in Ilaro deployed intelligence and detective operatives to identify and apprehend the suspect.
The police said sustained intelligence gathering and technological monitoring led investigators to a village in Ajegunle, along the Ilaro–Ibogun axis, where Arojah was arrested.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted to impersonating Akogun on Facebook and using the cleric’s identity to issue fake prophecies and offer prayer services to unsuspecting individuals.
Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that the suspect targeted people seeking spiritual assistance through the genuine prophet’s Facebook page, gained their trust and allegedly collected money from them.
The victims were said to be based both in Nigeria and abroad, with the total amount allegedly obtained through the scheme exceeding ₦18 million.
Confirming the arrest, the police command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Babaseyi said investigators would work to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify any possible accomplices and determine the next steps towards prosecution.
The police have yet to disclose the number of victims involved or provide further details about how the alleged payments were made.
The suspect’s arrest comes amid growing concerns over online impersonation and fraud, particularly schemes in which fraudsters exploit people’s trust in religious leaders to obtain money under false pretences.
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