Court remands 36-year-old man over alleged N6.2m visa fraud

An Osun Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife on Monday, ordered the remand of a 36-year-old man, Ojo Israel, at the Ile-Ife Correctional Service, over alleged N6.2 million visa fraud.

Israel, whose address was not provided, is facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, intent to defraud, stealing, fraud and forgery.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Prosecutor, Ayinde Ayuba, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between June 20, 2023 and April 23, 2024 in Ile-Ife.

Ayuba said that the defendant conspired with others now at large to obtain money by false pretence.

He also alleged that the defendant, under false pretence and with intent to defraud, unlawfully obtained the sum of N6, 231,775 from one Olawuni Olalekan, the complainant, for procuring of United Kingdom, Albania and Turkey visas.

He further alleged that the defendant thereafter fraudulently converted the sum of N6, 231,775 to his own use, but handed a forged Albania visa to the complainant and touted it as genuine.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 390(9), 419, 422, 467 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

However, the defence counsel, Mr M. A. Gilbert, made an oral application for the bail of the defendant in most the liberal terms.

He pledged that his client would not jump bail, and provide substantial sureties.

The Magistrate, Abosede Sarumi, denied the oral bail application and asked the defence counsel to come with a formal application.

Sarumi adjourned the case until March 25 for hearing.