CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
A 42-year-old woman, Ganiyat Eyende, was on Thursday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court in Lagos over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, forgery and stealing to the tune of N44,765,000.00 in connection with purported Ireland visas.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed between July 15, 2025 and April 2026 at Jehovah Shama Plaza, Ogba, Lagos, within the Ikeja Magisterial District.
The prosecution told the court that the defendant and others now at large allegedly conspired to commit felony, to wit: obtaining, stealing and forgery. The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In Count Two, the prosecution alleged that the defendant, under false pretence of procuring Ireland visas, obtained a total sum of N44,765,000.00 from seven people. The victims were named as Ayeni Motunrayo Florence, Orinde Ajibola Sunday, Ayo Akinniyi, Ogunlola Esther Damilola, Ajisegiri David Olufemi, Kikelomo Oikpor Afusat, and Hundeyin Seiu Boluwatife. The court heard that the money was allegedly paid into her company account, Giated International Service, Moniepoint Account No: 6500523039.
In Count Three, the defendant and others at large were accused of forging Ireland visas for the aforementioned people. The offence is contrary to Section 365(1 and 2b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Further breakdown in the charge sheet showed that N7,365,000.00 was allegedly obtained from Ayeni Motunrayo Florence, N6,820,000.00 from Orinde Ajibola Sunday, N8,470,000.00 from Ayo Akinniyi, and N8,079,000.00 from Ogunlola Esther Damilola.
The prosecution also alleged that N2,070,000.00 was obtained from Ajisegiri David Olufemi, N6,979,000.00 from Kikelomo Oikpor Afusat, and N5,000,000.00 from Hundeyin Seiu Boluwatife. It said each payment was made under the pretence of securing Ireland visas, a representation the defendant allegedly knew to be false.
In Counts Five, Seven, Nine, Eleven, Thirteen, Fifteen and Seventeen, the defendant was also accused of stealing the same sums from each of the seven victims. The stealing offences are contrary to Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The charges were read to the defendant and she pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, SP Philip Ademigbuji, appeared for the Commissioner of Police and prayed the court for a date to enable the Police to present witnesses. The Investigating Police Officer was listed as Inspector Sameco Dea.
Ruling on bail, the presiding Magistrate, O. Kusanu, granted the defendant bail on conditions with two sureties who must provide evidence of means of livelihood and tax clearance. The court also ordered that the addresses of the sureties be verified.
The matter was adjourned for mention and the defendant was remanded in custody at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
Legal observers said the case underscores a rising trend of visa-related fraud in Lagos, where victims are lured with promises of travel abroad and asked to pay huge sums into company accounts. Authorities have advised the public to verify immigration agents and companies before making any payment.
The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Note: This report is based on court documents and allegations made by the prosecution. All parties are entitled to due process under the law.