Ibadan court remands herbalist for fraud, defiling minor

The Iyaganku Family Court sitting in Ibadan has ordered the remand of an acclaimed herbalist, James Mathew, 29, in the Agodi Correctional facility for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl.
Mr Mathew of Aba-Nla Village, Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, was charged with 10 counts bordering on defilement and fraud of N5.7 million.
Chief Magistrate Patricia Adetuyibi did not take the plea of Mr Mathew due to lack of jurisdiction.
Ms Adetuyibi said his remand is pending the outcome of legal advice from the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), and adjourned the matter until September 15, for a mention.
The prosecution counsel, Folake Ewe, said the offence contravened Section 221(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
She also said that Mr Mathew, between October 2021 and June 2022, obtained N5 million from Odeh Igiri to prepare healing charms for him.
She added that the herbalist also obtained N300,000 from Veronica Paul on the pretence of providing charms for healing her ailments.
Also, she said he obtained N245,000 from Solomon Paul to prepare a good luck charm for his business and failed to do so.
She said Mr Mathew admitted to obtaining the money from the complainants.
Ms Ewe said the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Politics
Peter Obi, Kwankwaso coalition can’t happen, it’s dead: Doyin Okupe
“It has been dead for four weeks,” the LP vice presidential placeholder stated on Tuesday.

Economy
Negotiation concluded, waiting for Buhari regime’s call to sign: ASUU
ASUU has been on strike since February 14, over the federal government’s failure to honour a 2009 MoU with the union.

NationWide
Deploy prayers to combat insecurity, COAS Faruk Yahaya tells soldiers
Mr Yahaya urged soldiers to compliment the Nigerian Army’s kinetic engagements with “spiritual efforts…”

States
Bayelsa govt seeks federal marine safety corps’ establishment
The state government said the marine corps would help in the fight against sea piracy, kidnapping and other crimes in the Niger Delta.

Education
FRSC advocates transportation studies in tertiary institutions
The corps said the initiative would go a long way in instituting and promoting the right driving culture amongst Nigerian motorists.

NationWide
Buhari regime spends $1 billion annually on NSIP: Minister
This minister says the spending is consistent with the national target of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years.