MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 35-year old woman, Olajumoke Imoh and her accomplice, Olugbenro Solomon, 43, suspected to be members of visa racket syndicate have been arrested in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a man, Akinsanji Akinyemi, to the tune of the sum of N5.250m under the false pretence of procuring USA visa.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened at Abesan Estate, Ipaja area of Lagos, where they accosted the victim.
According to the Police, the suspects accosted the victim and collected the said money with the promise of procuring the travel documents including the visa and air ticket.
However, the victim waited for them to procure the documents to no avail and then demanded that his money should be refunded but they had no money to refund him.
The victim wrote a petition to the Area P Command, Ipaja. The suspects were arrested and detained at the Command for interrogation over their alleged conduct.
After thorough interrogation, the Police found them culpable and consequently charged them before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Benedict Aigbokhan, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since they pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Miss K.A. Ariyo, granted them bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned for mention while the defendants were remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.