Mother and Son Arraigned for N64.4m “Spiritual Cleansing” Scam Targeting US-Based Nigerian

PORT HARCOURT – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a mother and her son before Justice Akintoye Aluko of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on charges bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence. The accused, Ifeoma Joe and her son, Chima Mike Nmerem, allegedly defrauded a US-based Nigerian woman of N64.4 million under the guise of “spiritual cleansing.”

According to EFCC statements, the alleged crime was committed on March 28, 2025. Ifeoma Joe and Chima Mike Nmerem are accused of having convinced the victim that she required “spiritual cleansing” to avert misfortunes, leading her to transfer significant sums of money to them. Sources close to the investigation indicate that the elaborate scheme involved several phases of payments, eventually accumulating to the staggering sum of N64.4 million.

While specific details regarding the charges and the identity of the US-based Nigerian victim remain largely undisclosed by the EFCC, such cases often fall under charges related to advance-fee fraud, also known as 419 scams, which are prevalent in Nigeria. These scams typically involve promising a victim a large sum of money or a significant benefit in return for an upfront payment, which the fraudsters claim is necessary to facilitate the transaction.

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The EFCC has a history of prosecuting individuals involved in similar mother-and-son fraud rings. In January 2020, a mother and son were sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for a $82,570 internet fraud, and in September 2021, another mother and father were accused of N935 million fraud in complicity with their son in a forex trading scam. These precedents highlight the agency’s commitment to tackling financial crimes involving family syndicates.

The arraignment marks a significant step in the legal process, and Ifeoma Joe and Chima Mike Nmerem are expected to plead to the charges brought against them. The EFCC has assured the public of its dedication to pursuing justice for victims of financial crimes and urges citizens to exercise caution and diligence when dealing with individuals or groups promising quick returns or requiring upfront payments for nebulous services.

Further details are expected to emerge as the trial progresses.