Man, 52, Arraigned Over N1.8m Visa Racket

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the incident happened on 23rd February, 2025,  at Governor’s Road, Ikotun-Lagos.

According to the Police, the suspect contacted the complainant and convinced him that he had contacts to procure the traveling documents to Luxembourg. He paid and it was agreed that within the period the suspect will bring the documents.

However, the suspect did not bring the documents and did not return the money. Rather he was said to have bolted away and disconnected every communication he had with the complainant.

The matter was reported to the Police at Ikotun Division. The Police operatives moved into action, eventually arrested the suspect and detained him at the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.

After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence, which attracts several years of imprisonment.

The charges read:

“That you, Yahaya Ibrahim “m” on 23rd February, 2025, at about 1430hrs, at Governor’s Road, Ikotun-Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did with intent to defraud ONE SANGON DWUNE “M’, obtained the sum of ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND NAIRA (N1,800,000) with intent to procure him a travelling visa to Luxembourg, a presentation known to you that is false and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 313 and Punishable under Section 314 of Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.”

COUNT II: “That you, Yahaya Ibrahim “m” on same date, time and place, in the aforesaid Magisterial District, did steal the sum of ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND NAIRA (N1,800,000) property of ONE SANGON DWUNE “M’, and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 280 and Punishable under Section 287 of Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.”

However, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.A. Popoola, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 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 till 19th May, 2025, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, Lagos, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.