Lady, 33, Arraigned For Swindling Woman With Fake Visa Procurement

MICHAEL AKINOLA 

A 33-year old lady, Ruth Kanu, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for allegedly swindling a woman,  Uwanokoro Lilian, to the sum of over N7m with forged visa documents. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 7th May, 2025, in Ipaja area of Lagos.

According to the Police, the lady contacted the complainant and told her that she had the contacts to procure visa for Krygstan Asia Country and was able to convince the complainant.

The complainant paid the money through her Union Bank account and the suspect promised to procure the visa on an agreed date. However, after the lady collected the money, she diverted it and went into hiding and disconnected every communication she had with the complainant.

The matter was reported to the Police at Ipaja Division. The Police moved into action, eventually arrested the lady and detained her at the station for interrogation over her alleged conduct against the complainant.

The Police found her culpable after thorough 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, Ruth Kanu ‘F’ and two others at large, on the 7th day of May, 2025 at Ipaja Lagos, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit obtaining sum of Seven Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N7.300,000:00) belonging to one Uwanokoro Lilian ‘F’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you, Ruth Kanu ‘F’ and two others at large on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did fraudulently obtained the sum of Seven Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N7.300,000:00), received with your Union Bank Account No. 003735151578 under the pretense to procure visa to Krygstan Asia Country, belonging to one Uwanokoro Lilian ‘F’ Clients and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT III: “That you, Ruth Kanu ‘F’ and two others at large on the same date, time and place, in the aforesaid magisterial district, did dishonestly and fraudulently convert the sum of Seven Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only (N7.300,000:00), belonging to one Uwaokoro Lilian ‘F’ client and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 280 (a) (b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”

COUNT IV: “That you, Ruth Kanu ‘F’ and two others at large on the same date, time and place, in the aforementioned magisterial district, did unlawfully forge visa documents of Krygstan Asia Country and issued to one Uwanokoro Lillian, ‘F’ and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 365 (1) (3a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of 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.