AISHA ABUBAKAR
A man who posed as a spiritual healer has been sentenced to prison by the Federal High Court in Abuja for defrauding an Indian national and using a recorded video to blackmail her.
Justice C.N. Nwabulu handed down the judgment on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The convict, Solomon Odigie Moses, was found guilty of impersonation, cheating and cyber fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecuted the case. According to the EFCC, Moses created a fake TikTok account where he presented himself as “Dr. Solomon”, a spiritual leader offering prayers and deliverance.
The charge stated that sometime in 2026 in Abuja, the defendant deceived one Sharon Kaur, an Indian lady, into believing he could offer her spiritual help. He obtained $1,100, One Thousand One Hundred US Dollars from her under that false claim.
The offence is contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, Abuja and punishable under Section 322.
EFCC operatives said Moses was later arrested in Ekpoma, Edo State. Investigations showed he received the money through a Zelle transfer, after which he converted it to Naira and paid it into his Nigerian bank account.
Court documents revealed that after collecting the money, the defendant lured the victim into what he termed a “spiritual cleansing ritual” which involved her being unclothed. He secretly recorded the session on video without her knowledge or approval.
The prosecution, led by Maryam Hayatudeen, told the court that Moses then used the video to threaten the victim. He demanded more money and warned that he would post the footage online if she refused to comply. To avoid public embarrassment, the victim sent the sum of $1,100 to him.
When the matter came up in court, Moses pleaded guilty to the single count charge preferred against him.
In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution asked the court to convict him and impose a sentence that would serve as deterrence to others involved in online sextortion and fraud.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nwabulu sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment. The judge, however, gave an option of N300,000, Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine.
The court also ordered that the $1,100 recovered from the crime be returned to the victim through the EFCC. Justice Nwabulu noted that cyber fraud and blackmail have become common tools used by fraudsters on social media.
The EFCC in a statement said it continues to warn the public against engaging with self-styled prophets and spiritualists on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook who request money, private photos or videos.
According to the Commission, victims are usually promised solutions to problems like delayed visas, joblessness or marital issues, only to be extorted later.
Legal observers said the ruling reinforces Nigeria’s stance against sextortion and internet fraud targeting both citizens and foreigners.
The convict will serve the prison term in Abuja or pay the fine as ordered by the court.
