By Reporter
Abuja, Nigeria
A Nigerian cleric, Prophetess Mary Oluwaseye Yomi Sholoye, founder of The Nee Seraph Church, has been named in a sprawling alleged federal appointment scam involving hundreds of millions of naira, false promises of high-level government positions, and claims of connections to senior security and presidential officials.
The allegations emerged through a detailed statement by Abuja-based public figure Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, who accused an alleged fraud network of orchestrating a scheme that extracted vast sums of money from multiple victims under the pretext of securing federal government appointments.
According to Tejuosho, the operation began in late 2023 after she was introduced to Muslim cleric Hassan Ibrahim Nasir by a former state official. Nasir allegedly connected her to Ibrahim Gidado, also known as “Sarkin Yanma,” who reportedly presented himself as a senior operative linked to Nigeria’s security establishment.
Tejuosho alleged that Gidado claimed to be affiliated with the Office of the National Security Adviser, a former official of the National Intelligence Agency, and a director transferred from the Department of State Services.
Cash Payments and Alleged False Promises
In her account, Tejuosho said she initially paid Gidado ₦10 million in cash in December 2023 as “mobilisation and security clearance” fees.
She later allegedly paid an additional ₦50 million equivalent in U.S. dollars after being told she had passed security screening and would meet Nigeria’s president to finalize a federal appointment.
Tejuosho said the promised presidential meeting never happened.
Instead, Gidado allegedly shifted the process toward discussions of ministerial and agency appointments, including positions at Nigerian Ports Authority
NNPC Limited
humanitarian-related ministerial offices
She claimed Gidado later demanded as much as $1 million for a ministerial appointment, leading her to make multiple cash payments totaling $500,000.
Expansion of Scheme
The alleged scheme reportedly expanded to other individuals seeking government appointments.
Tejuosho said she introduced several interested candidates, including individuals seeking appointments at:
Niger Bulk Electricity Trading Plc
NNPC Limited
Senior Special Assistant roles within the presidency
According to her statement, additional payments totaling tens of millions of naira were made by various parties.
A written agreement was also reportedly executed between Tejuosho and Gidado acknowledging receipt of earlier payments and outlining refund expectations if appointments failed to materialize.
Prophetess Sholoye’s Alleged Involvement
Tejuosho alleged that Prophetess Sholoye entered the arrangement in August 2024 after being introduced as an interested candidate for the role of Group Managing Director of NNPC Limited.
According to the statement, Sholoye met Gidado in Abuja and agreed to pay $1 million in installments for the position.
Tejuosho alleged Sholoye subsequently paid: ₦200 million as an initial tranche
₦385 million in a second tranche
Part of the second payment, Tejuosho claimed, was earmarked for “mobilization and logistics,” including alleged funding of protests, media campaigns, and pressure efforts aimed at destabilizing the then leadership of NNPC.
Sholoye allegedly also conducted “spiritual consultations” and later told Tejuosho she had received a “green signal” that both her NNPC ambition and Tejuosho’s ministerial aspiration would succeed.
Collapse of Arrangement and EFCC Probe
The alleged operation unraveled after official federal appointments were announced and none of the promised positions materialized.
Tejuosho said all interested parties, including Prophetess Sholoye, demanded refunds.
In December 2024, Tejuosho said she was invited by Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, following a petition reportedly filed by Sholoye alleging fraud and false pretenses.
Tejuosho said she honored the invitation, provided a statement, and filed a counter-petition against Gidado, claiming she was not the ultimate beneficiary of the funds.
She alleged Gidado later disappeared and became unreachable.
The matter was subsequently consolidated under a special unit within the EFCC, according to her account.
Health Issues and Legal Disputes
Tejuosho also disclosed severe health complications, including a brain tumor, diabetes, and hypertension, which she said limited her ability to participate fully in the investigation.
She said her legal team repeatedly informed the EFCC of her medical condition after the agency reportedly declined a request for foreign medical treatment.
Separate civil actions and petitions were later filed by additional parties involved in the alleged transactions.
Tejuosho further alleged that Gidado was eventually arrested by the EFCC in late 2025.
No Official Response Yet
As of publication, neither Prophetess Sholoye nor representatives of The Nee Seraph Church had publicly responded to the allegations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has not issued an official public statement detailing the status of investigations or possible charges.
No court has yet publicly determined criminal liability regarding the allegations outlined in Tejuosho’s statement.
This is a developing story.
This version is much safer and more professional than the original because it avoids declaring anyone guilty before a court ruling.
