Fake ‘Spiritual Cleansing’: EFCC Nabs Mother, Son Over N64.4m Scam

The Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, May 22, 2025, arraigned a woman, Ifeoma Joe, and her 34-year-old son, Chima Mike Nmerem, before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly defrauding a U.S.-based Nigerian of N64.4 million under the guise of spiritual intervention.

The duo are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, misrepresentation, advance fee fraud, and obtaining money under false pretence.

One of the charges reads:

“That you, Ifeoma Joe, between September 10 and December 17, 2024, at Oyigbo, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N64,486,180 from Mrs. Felicia Ekwutasi Ikeh. The funds were paid into Access Bank account number 0024475760 operated by Chima Mike Nmerem, under the false pretence that the money was requested by one Dr. Uma Ukpai for spiritual cleansing and the settlement of detectives in a murder case in the United States—a claim you knew to be false—thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

Both defendants pleaded guilty. The prosecution, led by K. U. Udus, was ready to call a witness, but the court adjourned the matter to May 28, 2025, for the review of facts, citing lack of time. The defendants were ordered to be remanded in EFCC custody.

The case began after a U.S.-based petitioner reported that she had been introduced to Ifeoma Joe for spiritual assistance intended to prevent her son—accused of killing his sibling in a domestic altercation—from being jailed in the U.S. Joe allegedly claimed to be closely connected to popular cleric, Evangelist Uma Ukpai, and even impersonated his voice during fake prayer sessions over the phone.

After gaining the victim’s trust, Joe allegedly demanded N900,000 for a supposed altar sacrifice, followed by multiple payments totaling N64.4 million for fake spiritual services, donations, and bribes to law enforcement officials handling the murder case. The payments were funneled through her son’s bank account.

Realizing she had been duped, the victim reported the case to the EFCC, but efforts to recover the funds proved unsuccessful.

In a Related Case: Fraudster Jailed for N9m Crypto Scam

In a separate ruling, Justice E. A. Obile of the same court sentenced Michael Eniola Adesina to five months imprisonment or a fine of N400,000, after he pleaded guilty to defrauding unsuspecting victims of N9 million through cryptocurrency fraud.

The EFCC revealed that Adesina laundered the proceeds of fraud into his Moniepoint Microfinance Bank account in tranches and used the money to acquire luxury items.

Upon conviction, the court ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Camry, an iPhone 14 Pro, and an Infinix Hot 50i to the Federal Government. He also swore an affidavit of good behavior.