Man in court over alleged N19 million U.S. visa scam
The prosecution, who opposed it, said that the evidence against the defendant was overwhelming
The police on Thursday arraigned a 36-year-old man, Ernest Odo, in a Chief Magistrates’ Court, Wuse, Abuja, for allegedly cheating Adoghe Favour of N19.5 million.
The police charged the defendant with misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The Prosecution Counsel, Edwin Inegbenoise, alleged that the defendant deceived the complainant, Favour, under the guise of a travel agency and collected N19.5 million from her in 2024.
Mr Inegbenoise added that the defendant collected the sum to facilitate the complainant and her three siblings to the United States of America.
He further alleged that the defendant made the complainant believe that he could process a U.S. work resident and accommodation permit for them.
The prosecution counsel said that the defendant did not do the job and instead resorted to threatening the complainant with harm if she did not stay away from him.
He stated that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 309,312 and 320 of the Penal Code.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.
The defence counsel, Ofem Obeten, made a bail application citing Sections 158 & 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and prayed the court to grant it on liberal terms.
The prosecution, who opposed it, said that the evidence against the defendant was overwhelming, and it would serve as an incentive for him to jump bail if granted.
He said, “Before his arrest, an intelligence report shows that he was planning to travel out of the country.’’
The defence counsel said that there was nothing before the court to prove that the defendant would evade justice, citing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which presumes him innocent until proven otherwise.
The Magistrate, Umar Dodo, granted the defendant N9.2 million bail with two reliable sureties resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
Mr Dodo ordered that the sureties must be in a public or private organisation and swear to an affidavit of means of livelihood.
He added that the sureties must produce means of identification and their addresses verified by the court’s registrar.
Dodo adjourned the matter until November 11 for a hearing.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Kano architects demand strict enforcement of building regulations
Disturbed by recurring cases of building collapses, the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects has called for strict enforcement of building regulations.
States
Flooding: NEMA, KADSEMA search for missing persons in Kaduna River
NEMA and KADSEMA have launched a search-and-rescue operation for two persons swept away by floodwaters in the Kaduna River.
States
Police rescue 15 cows, one Katsina resident from bandits
The police command in Katsina says it has foiled kidnap and cattle rustling attempts in Funtua and Musawa council areas, rescuing one kidnap victim and recovering 15 rustled cows.
Agriculture
Farmers seek subsidised farm inputs to boost food production in Taraba
The farmers said the high cost and limited availability of fertilisers and other essential farm inputs had become major constraints as the rainy season commenced.
Politics
Kaduna: 12,000 people defect to APC in Lere LG
Twelve thousand members of opposition political parties have defected to the All Progressives Congress in the Lere council area of Kaduna.
Anti-Corruption
LS Cable & System USA agrees to pay $4 million to resolve PPP loan fraud allegations
LS Cable & System USA has agreed to pay $4 million to the United States to resolve allegations of false claims for payments under the Paycheck Protection Programme loans.
