MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 55-year old self acclaimed female staff of the US Embassy in Nigeria, Christie Philips, has been arrested for swindling a man, Patrick Obinna Oji, of the sum of N.7m under the false pretence of procuring visa.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that instead of procuring the visa as they agreed, she bolted away and disconnected every communication she had with the complainant.
The incident happened on 8th August, 2025, at Banana Layout, Isheri Oshun, Lagos.
The matter was reported to the Police at Isheri Oshun Division. The suspect was arrested and detained at the station for interrogation over her alleged conduct.
The Police found her culpable after interrogation and consequently charged her before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence which attracts several years of imprisonment.
The charges read:
“That you, Christie Philips ‘F’ sometime in the month of June, 2025, at Banana Layout, Isheri Oshun, in the Lagos State magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach by presenting yourself as a staff of the U.S Embassy, which you are not, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 168(d) of the criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT II:”That you, Christie Philips ‘F’ at the same date, plate and time at the aforementioned magisterial district, did obtain the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (N700,000.00) from one Patrick Obinna Oji ‘M’ under the pretence of procuring a U.S visa, which you failed to do, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 the criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
COUNT III:”That you, Christie Philips ‘F’ at the same date, plate and time at the aforementioned magisterial district, did collect the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (700,000.00) from one Patrick Obinna Oji ‘M’ to procure a U.S visa for him and converted the same money to your own personal use, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State Nigeria 2015.”
However, she pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since she pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that she actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.A. Popoola, granted her bail with two sureties, 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 defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.