Ekiti Police arraign man, 52, over N16m visa scam

The police in Ekiti State have arraigned one Samuel B. Dada, 52, at the Chief Magistrate court sitting in Ado-Ekiti for allegedly defrauding 12 people of N146 million under the pretense of getting them visas.

The prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, informed the court that there is probable cause to order the remand of the suspect at the correctional custody in Ado-Ekiti, as he is suspected of committing the offenses of forgery and fraud.

Oriyomi said the defendant allegedly defrauded his victims, including one Olugbemi Dele and 12 others, with false pretenses to procure American visas and job opportunities for them.

He added that the crime was committed within the Ado-Ekiti Magisterial District between January and November 2024.

The prosecutor said the offense committed is punishable under Section 376(2)(b) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State 2021 and Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act, 2006.

Counsel to the defendant, Barrister Adunni Olanipekun, urged the court to grant his client bail, adding that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr. Abayomi Adeosun, granted bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties in like sum, adding that the sureties must have landed property in the district, and adjourned the case till January 31 for hearing.