EXTRA: EFCC arrests two over ‘get-rich-quick spiritual exercise’ in Borno

Operatives of the Maiduguri zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two persons over an alleged “spiritual money-making exercise” in Borno state.

According to the EFCC, one of the suspects, identified as Ayu Sugum, had induced one Abubakar Bakura to steal N2.9 million from his employer.

Sugum, identified as a self-acclaimed spiritualist, is said to have promised Bakura that he would conduct a spiritual exercise that would make him rich within 14 days.

“Operatives of the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested a self-acclaimed spiritualist, Mallam Ayu Sugum, for allegedly inducing one Abubakar Mustapha Bakura to steal N2.9million (Two Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) from his employer under the guise of carrying out a spiritual exercise to make him rich,” the anti-graft agency said in a statement on Monday.

“He was arrested in a house situated at Pompomari Bypass, Maiduguri, Borno State after his name came up in the course of investigating a petition from Bakura’s employer.

“Bakura was the one who, under interrogation, mentioned Sugum as the beneficiary of the monies he stole from his employer.

“Upon his arrest on July 8, 2021, Bakura admitted stealing from his boss. He added that the stolen money was collected from him by Ayu Sugum, who promised to make him rich within two weeks.

“Abubakar claimed he was given a handkerchief and a concoction to drink and each time he took the liquid, ‘‘he loses his memory for days’’ and subsequently went to steal money from his boss for the spiritualist.

“Upon his arrest and interrogation, Sugum confessed to giving Abubakar a handkerchief and concoction to drink, but claimed the money he received from Bakura was not up to N2.9million.”

EFCC added that the suspects would be charged to court when investigation is concluded.