Port Harcourt, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a mother and son in Port Harcourt on charges of conspiracy and fraud amounting to N64.4 million (approximately $43,000 USD). This development comes as another individual was sentenced to jail for a separate N9 million fraud in the same city.
On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate brought Ifeoma Joe and her 34-year-old son, Chima Mike Nmerem, before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court. They face a four-count charge, including misrepresentation and obtaining money under false pretence.
According to the prosecution, Ifeoma Joe allegedly defrauded Mrs. Felicia Ekwutasi Ikeh of N64.4 million between September and December 2024. The money was reportedly paid into an Access Bank account operated by Chima Mike Nmerem. The alleged deception involved claims that the funds were for “spiritual cleansing” and payments to detectives in a murder case in the United States, with Joe purportedly misrepresenting a connection to a renowned Christian preacher, Dr. Uma Ukpai.
The petitioner, based in the US, alleged she was introduced to Joe for spiritual prayers to prevent her son from being jailed for murder. Investigations revealed Joe allegedly used a fake phone number, pretending to be the preacher, and demanded millions for various purported spiritual interventions, including donations to orphanages and payments to law enforcement officials. The victim reportedly transferred a total of N64,486,180, including the naira equivalent of $38,450.
Both defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read. Justice Ajoku adjourned the matter until May 28, 2025, for a review of the facts of the case, ordering that the mother and son be remanded in EFCC custody.
In a separate but related development, Justice E. A. Obile of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has convicted and sentenced Michael Eniola Adesina for fraud. Adesina was prosecuted by the EFCC on a two-count charge bordering on money laundering, impersonation, and obtaining money under false pretence, involving N9 million.
Adesina pleaded “guilty” to the charges. The court heard that he had taken possession of cryptocurrency, which he converted to Naira, accumulating approximately N9 million in his bank account, knowing it to be proceeds of fraud.
Justice Obile sentenced Adesina to five months in prison or a fine of N400,000. Additionally, he was ordered to forfeit a Toyota Camry car, identified as proceeds of his crime, along with an iPhone 14 Pro and an Infinix Hot 50i, deemed tools used in the commission of the crime, to the federal government. He also deposed to an affidavit of good behaviour before the court.
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