EFCC arrests pastor over N3.5 million fraud in Ilorin

Prophet Adeniyi James, a pastor in Ilorin, has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly cheating a church member out of N3.9 million. 

James was taken into custody by the Ilorin Zonal Command on April 2, 2024, for the alleged offence, according to a statement released on Saturday by Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity for the Commission. 

James is reportedly the General Overseer of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Freedom City Prophetic and Deliverance Ministry in Ilorin, according to information obtained. 

Oyewale mentioned that in a petition to the Commission, Oluwole Babarinsa, the victim, claimed in a petition that James had called him out at a church programme at some point in 2021, saying he had received a revelation that Babarinsa would be travelling overseas.

“The petitioner said the cleric, in the course of giving the revelation, asked him about his preferred country, which he replied ‘Canada’ and they agreed to talk later in order to perfect arrangements for the trip.

“The petitioner said James later told him that he had a friend in Lagos who could help him facilitate his relocation to Canada, but at a cost of N1.7 million and N2.5 million for processing of flight ticket and travel documents, respectively.

“Babarinsa added that he had to sell some of his properties and took some loans before he could raise N3,980,000 which he gave the prophet to facilitate his quick relocation to Canada.

“After prolonged waiting with no result, the petitioner became agitated and began to query the prophet’s vision, prompting him to ask for a refund of his money.

“All efforts and entreaties to the suspect to refund his money yielded no positive result,” EFCC spokesman said.

According to Oyewale, the suspect would be charged in court following the end of the inquiry.

Source