Justice C.N. Nwabulu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced a self-proclaimed spiritualist, Solomon Odigie Moses (also known as “Dr. Solomon”), to one year in prison for defrauding an Indian national and extorting money through illegal recordings.
The sentence was handed down on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following a prosecution led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Modus operandi and legal proceedings
Moses was apprehended by anti-graft operatives in Ekpoma, Edo State, after creating a fictitious TikTok persona to target individuals seeking spiritual intervention.
According to EFCC filings, the convict deceived his victim, Sharon Kaur, an Indian citizen, into performing a “spiritual ritual bath” while live-streaming.
Unbeknownst to the victim, Moses recorded the session and subsequently threatened to publish the intimate footage unless she paid some money.
Through blackmail, Moses extorted $1,100 from the victim, receiving the funds via the Zelle payment platform before transferring the Naira equivalent into his domestic bank account.
The official charge cited a violation of Section 321 of the Penal Code Act (Abuja) LLFN, 1990, punishable under Section 322 for fraudulent impersonation and cheating. Upon reading the charge, Moses pleaded guilty.
Judgment and legal penalty
Prosecution counsel Maryam Hayatudeen urged the court to sentence the defendant based on his plea and the evidence presented.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Nwabulu sentenced Moses to one year imprisonment, offering an option of a ₦300,000 fine. The court also ordered that the $1,100 recovered as proceeds of the crime be fully restored to the victim through the EFCC.
The growing challenge of cyber-enabled extortion in Nigeria
Sextortion—a form of cyber-enabled extortion where perpetrators threaten to release private or sensitive imagery unless money is paid—remains an active focus for law enforcement in Nigeria.
The EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) have intensified crackdowns on cross-border financial fraud and digital blackmail, leveraging international law enforcement cooperation to trace digital assets and protect victims globally.
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