EFCC Arrests Lagos Businessman, Cohorts For Alleged Fraud Via ‘Juju’
Abayomi Kamaldeen Alaka (a.k.a Awise) has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Awise is the boss of a deadly juju conglomerate that works out of a shrine in Ashipa, Ogun State, near Abeokuta.
He was apprehended when a victim, Juliet Bright, filed a petition alleging that she lost N250 million to the group after being duped into providing money in exchange for sacrifices to cure her of an illness.
Akinola Bukola Augustina (a.k.a. Iya Osun), whom Juliet met on Facebook, introduced her to Alaka.
EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren in a statement said what drew Juliet to Augustina was the latter’s post under the name, Osunbukola Olamitutu Spiritual Healing Centre.
Augustina promised Juliet recovery only if she paid N16million. The victim paid the money to an account belonging to Mohammed Sani, a Bureau De Change Operator.
Afterwards, Augustina passed the victim to other members of the syndicate, notably Awise. Juliet later met Awise at his shrine in Ashipa town where she was hypnotized.
Juliet subsequently transferred various sum through bank accounts and in cash to the suspect and his colleagues, until she lost N250million without healing.
Acting on her petition, a team from the Foreign Exchange Malpractices Section (FEMS) at EFCC headquarters, on May 21, 2021, arrested Sani and Augustina at Egbeda and Abule Egba in a sting operation.
Augustina, currently on administrative bail, led operatives to the Awise’s shrine but he had escaped arrest having gotten wind of operatives’ presence. Detectives kept tabs on him until he was nabbed.
Uwujaren disclosed that the EFCC has traced and marked a number of assets linked to Awise.
“The assets include vast land at Ashipa town, Abeokuta, used as shrine to deceive the complainant; a newly renovated filling station named Alaka Oil and Gas at No. 2, Adeneye Street, Oke-Oriya in Ikorodu, Lagos.
“An uncompleted event place named Alaka Event Centre at No. 2, Adeneye Street, Oke-Oriya, Ikorodu; uncompleted blocks of flats at No. 2, Adeneye Street, Oke-Oriya, Ikorodu, and a newly renovated storey building with boys’ quarters at No. 22, PSSDC Road, Magodo Phase 2.”
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
