ICPC charges man to court in Abuja over visa scam

A 34-year-old man, Onyeugo Anayochukwu, has been charged to court for allegedly procuring fake United States of America (USA) entry visa.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) filed the three-count at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 36, Apo, Abuja.

The suspect was arraigned before Justice M. B. Idris, alleging forgery and making false statement to a constituted authority.

Counsel to the commission, Enosa Omoghibo, told the court that the accused, while claiming to be a staff of the Federal Ministry of Labour, approached the US embassy in Abuja with fake documents to procure six entry visas.

He claimed that the visas were to enable him and five others to attend the 55th Session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Commission on the Status of Women conference in New York.

The offences, which were allegedly committed in 2011, are in contravention of Sections 363 and 368 of the Penal Code Act.

They are also punishable under Section 364 and 368 of the same Act. Cap 532 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1990. The accused pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

His lawyer, Adetola Olulelu, asked the court to grant him bail in liberal terms, pending the final determination of the case.

Justice Idris granted the bail in the sum of N2 million and a surety in like sum. He said the surety must be a Grade Level 13 officer in the employment of the Federal Government.

The matter was adjourned till March 7, 2018 for hearing.