Cleric disappears with friend’s N8m after praying on it

Juliana Francis

Detectives from the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Milverton, Ikoyi, Lagos State have arrested an Islamic cleric, who disappeared with his best friend’s millions after promising to pray on the money.

The suspect, Isiaka Yusuf Adeleke, 34, admitted that he tricked the complainant into believing that he could double the money. 

Adeleke further 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.

Adeleke was arrested after the Commissioner of Police, in charge of SFU, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, received a petition from the victim, alleging that in March 2013, he took a loan facility of N8, 000,000.00 with intention to purchase a truck to facilitate his business.

The petitioner, who said Adeleke was his best buddy, 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, 000,000.00 to Adeleke, only to come back after seven days to discover that the Alfa has relocated to Ilorin and switched off all his contact.

The complainant further stated that the Alfa under the pretence of selling LEXUS 300 car imported from USA to him, obtained additional N1.5million and later registered the said vehicle in his name. 

He alleged that the total money collected from him by the suspect is N9.5 million and that the suspect used his money to build four bedrooms flat and bought two cars (Mercedes Benz/Toyota Camry) within a space of five months.

Spokesperson for the Unit, Ngozi Isintume-Agu said that the suspect has been arrested and made useful statement to the Police.