Ondo Police Arraign Self-Acclaimed Missionary for Alleged Serial Rape, Fraud and Exploitation

The Ondo State Police Command has arraigned a 33-year-old self-acclaimed missionary, Joshua Jayeola, before a Magistrate’s Court in Akure for alleged rape, fraud and sexual exploitation of young women who were reportedly lured with promises of employment and social-media content creation opportunities.

Jayeola was alleged to have collected a total of N4.5 million from several victims under the pretext of securing international passports and visas for them. According to the police, the accused operated as part of a syndicate that targeted young women from different parts of Nigeria, promising them domestic work, ushering jobs and overseas employment.Eyes Of Lagos reports,

His arrest followed a police operation that led to the rescue of 15 young women between the ages of 20 and 26 from an apartment in the Alagbaka area of Akure, where the victims were said to have been kept against their will. Police also confirmed that two other suspects linked to the operation were arrested alongside him.

Investigators stated that the victims were deceived with false job offers but ended up being used for illicit activities allegedly coordinated by the defendant. According to the police, some of the victims were subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse during their stay in the apartment.

Jayeola was arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on rape, fraud, unlawful detention and sexual exploitation. Police prosecutor, Sulaiman Adebayo, informed the court that the offences took place in July 2025 at Victory Lane, Alagbaka Extension in Akure. He alleged that the defendant impersonated a missionary as part of his scheme to gain the trust of unsuspecting young women.

Adebayo further told the court that Jayeola raped two of the victims and obtained money from others under fraudulent claims of helping them secure travel documents. He added that the defendant also managed a property used for habitual prostitution and profited from the proceeds of the illegal activities.

According to the charge sheet, the offences violate Sections 358, 225B (a & b), 112 (1 & 2), and 484 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State (2006). They also contravene Section 1(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, and are punishable under Section 3 of the same law.

The defendant’s plea was not taken during the arraignment.

The police prosecutor applied that the defendant be remanded at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He argued that the seriousness of the allegations and ongoing investigations required that the defendant not be granted temporary liberty.

Defence counsel, C.O. Falana, however, requested an adjournment to allow the defence team file a counter-affidavit against the remand application. He urged the court to give the defence access to their client to prepare adequately for the proceedings.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered that the defendant be kept in police custody until November 19 to enable his counsel access him. After that, he is to be transferred to the correctional centre pending further directives from the court.

The matter was adjourned until November 26, 2025, for hearing of the remand application.