EFCC arrests ‘spiritualist’ in Edo over nude video blackmail of Indian woman

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a self-described spiritualist, Odigie Moses, in Ekpoma, Edo State, in connection with an alleged sextortion plot involving a $1,100 blackmail scheme. The agency revealed on Friday that Moses, who posed as a spiritual healer on the Zelle social media platform, successfully duped an Indian woman seeking spiritual assistance for life-threatening difficulties into participating in a naked ritual.

The victim was persuaded to undergo a naked spiritual bath without her consent, which was then recorded by Moses. The EFCC alleged that the suspect subsequently threatened to release the video publicly unless the woman agreed to pay the demanded sum. According to the commission, Moses used the recorded video as leverage to blackmail the woman into sending him $1,100 to prevent the video's public dissemination.

The EFCC's investigation concluded that the victim complied with the request to avoid the potential release of the compromising footage. Upon the completion of further investigations, the suspect will be formally charged in court, as per the EFCC's statement.