It is like a real-life enactment of the popular play by award-winning playwright, Professor Wole Soyinka, The Trial of Brother Jero, as a Lagos-based false prophet is docked.
A man, Micheal Ugnor, who claimed to be a spiritual healer, was on Thursday in Lagos docked before an Ijaiye Ojokoro Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a woman of N225,000.
Ugnor, 41, was accused of tricking one Damilola Idowu into undertaking a `spiritual healing exercise“ with an intent to defraud her.
The accused, standing trial before Magistrate K. O. Ogundare on four counts of fraud, worship of gods, unlawful possession of fetish objects and stealing, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Samson Ekikere, told the court that the accused committed the alleged offences on Sept. 2, at No 10, Akande St., Dalemo-Alakuko, Lagos.
Ekikere said that the accused, who claimed to be a spiritualist, made Idowu to take part in the worship of gods under the pretext of cleansing her of certain ailments.
He also alleged that Ugnor, in possession of some fetish creatures, used them to cajole Idowu thereby making her fall victim to his fraudulent act.
According to him, the alleged offences contravened Sections 208, 209, 390 and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.
The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
He adjourned the case till Dec. 12 for further hearing.