A man, Benefactor Jamiu, was on Thursday arraigned before a Gwagwalada Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N1.2 million under guise of procuring a visa for one Chidi Okwosha.

The police charged Jamiu of Chukuku village in Abuja with criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Dabo Yakubu told the court that the complainant, Chidi Okwosha of the same address, reported the matter at Area Command office Gwagwalada on January 22.

Mr Yakubu said that sometime in 2022, the defendant and one Sunny Kenneth, now at large, conspired and deceived the complainant.

He said that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N1.2 million from the complainant to prepare a visa, to enable him travel to Qatar.

He said that the defendant, after collecting the money, did not process the visa, but converted the money to his personal use.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 97, 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Defence Counsel, T.T Istifanies, in an oral application, prayed the court to grant bail to the defendant.

He told the court that the defendant would not jump bail, and cited Sections 158 and 159 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act to buttress his claims.

The Magistrate, Olatunji Oladunmoye, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with one reasonable surety in like sum.

Mr Oladunmoye ordered that the surety must be working in a reputable organisation with evidence of employment letter.

He also ordered that the address of the surety be verified, and adjourned the case until February 26 for hearing.

(NAN)