Man charged with N850,000 visa fraud

iyebiye olawuyi

May 3, 2017 2:42 PM

Adefin, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.

A criminal in handcuffs

A 34-year-old man, Oluwaseyi Adefin, who allegedly defrauded a woman of N850,000 on pretext of securing a Schengen visa for her, on Wednesday appeared in a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. ‎

The accused committed the offences sometime in August 2016 at No. 24, Adisa Bashau St., Off Adelabu, Surulere, at about 1.00 p.m., Police Prosecutor Christopher Okokliko told the court.

‎He said the accused obtained N850,000 from the complainant, Fibiana Ikechion, with a promise to get a Schengen visa for her.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Schengen 26-member-states include Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain.

Okoliko said the accused failed to procure the visa for the complainant or refund the money.

‎The offences contravened Sections 285(1) and 321 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).‎

NAN also reports that Section 285 (1) stipulates three years for stealing, while Section 321 provides two years for obtaining by false pretences.‎The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.‎

Ruling on the bail application of the accused, the Chief Magistrate, Mr. A.A. Paul, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Paul said one of the sureties must be gainfully employed, while the other surety should be a landed property owner in Lagos State.

In addition, the sureties ‎should provide evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.

‎The case was adjourned until May 31 for mention.

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