Police arrest Ibadan-based travel agent, charge him with N700 million visa scam

On Thursday, the Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court Ibadan granted an Ibadan-based travel agent, Christon Wilson, 65, bail for N10 million over alleged visa for alleged N700 million visa scam.
The case is in connection with the procurement of an Australian Visa.
Counsel to the defendant, O. Abdulsalam, asked for his client’s bail on the most liberal terms, but the chief magistrate, O.O. Ogunkanmi, granted the bail in the amount of two sureties.
Mr Ogunkanmi said the sureties must be people with landed property with certificates of occupancy within the court jurisdictions.
She adjourned the matter until April 23 for mention.
Mr Wilson, of Kristi Manpower, at Damin Plaza, 42, MKO Abiola Way, Ring Road, Ibadan, was charged with 332-count charges of obtaining under false pretence and stealing.
The prosecution counsel, Insp Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that the defendant, between October 2022 and November 2023, allegedly obtained N6.7 million from one Adekemi Oni.
Mr Opaleye said, “The defendant allegedly collected the money from her under the pretence of procuring an Australian visa for her and her family, which he knew to be false and allegedly stole from her.
“Dr Wilson allegedly collected N10.8 million from Olayemi Olamona under the pretence of procuring an Australian visa for him too.
“The defendant allegedly collected different amounts of money from 166 persons to the tune of N700 million under the pretence of procuring Australian visas for them.”
Mr Opaleye said the offence contravened the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
(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.”

Diaspora
Ghana police nab two Nigerians for allegedly killing compatriot over internet fraud proceeds
Police officers who examined Mr Uzorchukwu’s body at the scene found a deep cut on his forehead and a towel stuffed into his mouth.

Heading 5
Family struggling to accept reality of Jayden Adams’ death after World Cup outing, says father
Adams played three matches at the World Cup in North America as South Africa reached the knockout round of the tournament for the first time in the country’s history.

NationWide
KWASU research teams secure $43,913, N83 million grants
Mr Shaykh-Luqman also encouraged the awardees to mentor early-career researchers.

Heading 4
Nigerians, other migrants on temporary visas in UK shouldn’t be allowed indefinite stay: Kemi Badenoch
The Tory leader said individuals who are not making a significant economic contribution over a 10-year period should not be allowed to stay indefinitely.

Africa
South African police arrest four suspects for drug traffickingÂ
Police said four male suspects, aged between 31 and 34, were arrested at different locations in Springbok and Okiep.






