A criminal case involving an alleged ₦6.8 million payment for “spiritual soap” has reached an Ibadan court, putting the circumstances surrounding the transaction before the judicial system.

Three men — Waheed Bojesomo, Olajide Olakanmi and Olayinka Oludayo — were arraigned at the Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. They pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

The case is significant not because a conviction has been reached — there has been none — but because the prosecution alleges that a substantial sum of money was obtained over several years through a promise to prepare a spiritual product for the complainant.

According to the prosecution, the alleged transactions took place between 2022 and October 2025 at Apatere Village in Ibadan.

Prosecutor ASP Sikiru Opaleye alleged that the defendants obtained ₦6.8 million from Muritala Abiodun, described in the report as a spiritual seeker, on the pretence that they would prepare spiritual soap for him.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants knew the claim was false and subsequently converted the money to their own use. These are prosecution allegations, not findings by the court.

The three defendants, aged 53, 59 and 46, respectively, pleaded not guilty.
The charges were brought under Sections 390(9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000, according to the prosecution.

The key issue before the court
At the centre of the case is whether the defendants deliberately obtained Abiodun's money through a false representation about preparing the alleged spiritual soap.

That distinction matters.

The court has not determined that the promised spiritual service was fraudulent, nor has it established that the defendants stole the money. Those questions will have to be tested through the evidence presented during the proceedings.

The defendants' not-guilty pleas mean the allegations remain contested.

Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi granted each defendant bail of ₦2.5 million, with two sureties required for each defendant in the same amount.
The court also directed that one of the sureties for each defendant must be a blood relative.

Bail at this stage does not determine whether the defendants are guilty or innocent. It allows the accused persons to remain out of custody while the case proceeds under conditions imposed by the court.

Several important details are not contained in the publicly available reports reviewed for this article.
It is not clear from the reports:
How the alleged ₦6.8 million payments were made.

How many separate payments were involved.

What evidence the prosecution intends to rely on to establish the alleged false representation.
Whether any money or property has been recovered.

What specific role each of the three defendants allegedly played.
Whether the complainant received any services or materials connected with the alleged transaction.

Those questions could become clearer as evidence is presented in court.

The case has been adjourned until October 22, 2026, for hearing.

Until then, the central issue remains unresolved: whether the prosecution can establish that the ₦6.8 million was obtained through the fraudulent conduct alleged in the charges.

The defendants remain legally presumed innocent unless and until a court determines otherwise.