Fake Missionary Faces Court Over Alleged Serial Crimes in Akure
The Ondo State Police Command has brought a 33-year-old man, Joshua Jayeola, before a Magistrate's Court in Akure, accusing him of a series of serious crimes including rape, fraud, and the sexual exploitation of young women. Jayeola, who presented himself as a missionary, is alleged to have used the promise of job opportunities and social media content creation roles to lure his victims.
Details of the Alleged Crimes and Rescue Operation
Police investigations revealed that the suspect was part of a syndicate that targeted young women from different parts of Nigeria. They were enticed with false offers of lucrative employment in areas such as domestic work, ushering services, and overseas jobs. The operation led to the rescue of 15 young women, aged between 20 and 26, from a rented apartment in the Alagbaka area of Akure, where they were reportedly being held against their will for illicit activities.
According to the police prosecutor, Sulaiman Adebayo, the offences took place in July 2025 at Victory Lane, Alagbaka Extension, Akure. Adebayo told the court that the defendant impersonated a missionary and unlawfully detained the young women. He is specifically accused of raping two of the victims and defrauding several others of a total sum of N4.5 million, collected under the pretext of procuring international passports and visas for them.
Court Proceedings and Charges
Joshua Jayeola was arraigned on an eight-count charge that borders on rape, fraud, and sexual exploitation. He was also accused of managing a property used for habitual prostitution and benefiting from the proceeds of these illegal activities. Two other suspects were arrested alongside Jayeola in connection with the case.
The charges filed against him are in violation of Sections 358, 225B (a & b), 112 (1 & 2), and 484 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State (2006), as well as Section 1(c) and punishable under Section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2006).
The defendant's plea was not taken during the court session. The police prosecutor requested that Jayeola be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). However, the defence counsel, C.O. Falana, sought an adjournment to file a counter-affiduit. Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered that the defendant remain in police custody until November 19, 2025, to allow his counsel access to him, after which he is to be transferred to the correctional centre. The case has been adjourned to November 26, 2025, for the hearing of the application.
