By Seun Ibiyemi
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a suspect, Adewale Ogoemi Arojah, for allegedly impersonating a popular cleric on Facebook and defrauding multiple victims of more than ₦18 million under the guise of providing prayers, prophecies and spiritual assistance.
The suspect was arrested by operatives of the Ilaro Division following a complaint that an individual was using a duplicated Facebook profile to deceive members of the public in the name of Prophet Dr. Muyiwa Akogun.
The police said the complaint was lodged on October 3, 2026, by Akogun, who alerted the authorities after receiving reports from members of the public about fraudulent activities being carried out through the fake account.
Following the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer, Ilaro Division, reportedly deployed intelligence and detective operatives to track down the suspect.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babas e yi, the suspect was eventually tracked to a village in Ajegunle, along the Ilaro/Ibogun axis, where he was apprehended through intelligence-led operations and technological monitoring.
During interrogation, the police said Arojah confessed to impersonating the cleric on Facebook and using his identity to issue fake prophecies and offer prayer services to unsuspecting individuals.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly targeted people seeking spiritual assistance through the cleric’s Facebook page, gained their trust and obtained money from them.
The police said the alleged victims included Nigerians living in the country and those in the diaspora, with the amount involved exceeding ₦18 million.
The Ogun State Police Command disclosed that the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The investigation is expected to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud, identify possible accomplices and determine the appropriate legal action.
The command said the arrest demonstrated its commitment to tackling online fraud, identity theft and other cyber-related crimes across the state.
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The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Ilaro operatives for their vigilance, tactical discipline and swift response to the complaint.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents against digital and physical threats.
The police urged members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with religious leaders and other public figures on social media.
They advised social media users to verify the authenticity of accounts before engaging with individuals claiming to offer spiritual services and to avoid transferring money to unverified persons in exchange for promised remedies, prayers or prophecies.
The command also encouraged residents to report suspected cybercrime, impersonation and other suspicious activities through the Gateway Shield toll-free line on 0800 000 9111, or via 09164859299 and 09154293464.
The case highlights the risks associated with fraudulent social media accounts that exploit public trust in religious figures to solicit money from unsuspecting individuals.
The suspect remains subject to further investigation, while the police work to determine the full scope of the alleged operation and identify other persons who may have been involved.
