A 46-year-old agent, Chibuzor Opara, was arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Monday on charges of allegedly obtaining N5.17 million from a woman under the pretence of securing working visas for her.

Mr Opara, who resides at No. 18 Moshalashi Crescent, Ogudu, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Donjour Perezi, told the court that Mr Opara and others, still at large, committed the offences on July 15, 2025, at about 2:30 p.m. at No. 13 Moshalashi Crescent, off Association Close, Ogudu, Lagos.

Mr Perezi alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained N5.17 million belonging to Nwaokeafor Ijeoma under the pretence of processing and securing Republic of Italy, Canada and Australia working visas for her.

He said the defendant knew the representation was false and allegedly converted the money for his personal use.

He told the court that the complainant reported the matter to the police on July 8, 2026, after she discovered that the visa arrangement was allegedly fraudulent.

“The complainant had contacted Opara through a referrer sometime in July 2025, after the defendant introduced himself as a travel agent capable of processing and securing visas for Italy and other countries.

“The complainant paid the agreed sum to the defendant, but when it was time to receive appointment letters from the respective embassies, she discovered that she had allegedly been defrauded,” he said.

Mr Perezi alleged that Mr Opara converted the money for his personal use and absconded; efforts to recover it proved unsuccessful.

He said the case was subsequently transferred to the Divisional Crime Branch for further investigation.

The offences, according to him, contravened Sections 411, 314(1) (a), 280 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The magistrate, A.O. Akinde, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case until October 19 for further proceedings.

(NAN)