KINGSLEY EBERE
A 38-year-old woman, Mrs. Olaniyan Titilayo Stella, has been arraigned before an Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos over allegations of UK visa scam involving N24.2m.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that she has been charged for conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing over her alleged conduct against the victim.
According to the charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police, the alleged offences occurred in 2025 at Ikeja, within the Lagos Magisterial District. The defendant was charged alongside one other person said to be at large.
In Count One, the prosecution alleged that Mrs. Olaniyan and the other suspect conspired to commit felony, to wit, stealing. The prosecution said this contravened Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count Two accused the defendant of stealing the sum of N24,286,825, property of Mrs. Rashidat Oyekunle.
The prosecution alleged that the money was collected under the pretence of procuring United Kingdom travel documents for the complainant.
The charge sheet stated that after receiving the money, the defendant allegedly converted it to her own use. The offence is said to be contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count Three alleged that Mrs. Olaniyan dishonestly and unlawfully deceived Mrs. Oyekunle into believing she was a genuine travelling agent capable of procuring a UK visa. The prosecution says this was used to obtain the money.
According to the document, the funds were paid into GT Bank account number 0017357598 and Zenith Bank account number 2150138408. The prosecution alleged that the defendant promised to use the money to secure a UK visa but did not do so.
The prosecution said that the conduct contravened Section 314 and is punishable under Section 314(1,283) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The defendant’s address is listed as No. 6 Close Avenue, Iwo Road, Ibadan.
However, she pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ihkayere, 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. L.A. Owolabi, 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.