A self-styled traditional healer and his wife have appeared in court in southwest Nigeria accused of a contract fraud totalling more than 1bn naira ($730,000; £575,000).
Olorunbukunmi Taiwo and his wife, Awolegan Omolola Omotola, were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti on a six-count charge, including obtaining money under false pretences.
The prosecution, led by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleges that the couple defrauded a widow who runs a private school in neighbouring Delta State.
According to the EFCC, Mr. Taiwo approached the school proprietor, Anazia Colina Kenechukwu, claiming he had been awarded a lucrative road construction contract by the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
Mrs. Kenechukwu told investigators she was persuaded to finance the project and subsequently deposited money into a bank account held by Mr. Taiwo.
Anti-corruption investigators allege that the couple used the proceeds of the scam to acquire luxury real estate in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. The properties reportedly include a commercial lounge and a four-bedroom bungalow.
The court heard that the EFCC has already secured an interim forfeiture order to seize both properties as part of the ongoing investigation.
The defendants, who face charges under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and financial crimes laws, have denied the allegations. Justice Abubakar Usman has adjourned the case for a formal bail hearing.
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