A mother and her son are in the dock after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them for allegedly orchestrating a spiritual scam that defrauded a U.S.-based Nigerian woman of over ₦64 million.
The Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Thursday, May 22, 2025, brought 58-year-old Ifeoma Joe and her 34-year-old son, Chima Mike Nmerem, before Justice P.I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The pair is facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, and advance fee fraud—allegations linked to a bogus spiritual scheme said to be connected to a murder case in the United States.
According to court filings, between September and December 2024, Joe allegedly posed as an associate of Evangelist Uma Ukpai, a renowned Christian preacher, and convinced the victim to part with millions of naira for “spiritual cleansing” and to allegedly bribe detectives involved in her son’s homicide case abroad.
Investigators allege that Joe, after being introduced by the victim’s sister, created the illusion of speaking directly with Evangelist Uma Ukpai using a fake voice over a spoofed phone number. The victim claimed she regularly received “prayers” and prophetic instructions from this impersonated cleric.
As part of the scheme, Joe demanded an initial ₦900,000 for an altar sacrifice, followed by further requests totaling tens of millions of naira. She also allegedly instructed payments for donations to orphanages, spiritual offerings, bribes for detectives, and even gifts to an employer who would supposedly rehire the victim’s son once spiritual obstacles were cleared.
Funds totaling $38,450 in naira equivalent were reportedly paid into a bank account operated by Nmerem, which was allegedly used to funnel the proceeds.
Both defendants pleaded “guilty” when the charges were read in court. Prosecution counsel K.U. Udus informed the court of a ready witness and sought an immediate review of the case, but Justice Ajoku adjourned the matter to May 28, 2025, due to time constraints.
The court also ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
Meanwhile, the EFCC urged Nigerians, especially those in the diaspora, to be wary of individuals who exploit religious sentiments for fraudulent purposes.
