Visa
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, July 24, 2018 (NAN) The Police on Tuesday arraigned a 35-year-old man, Tunde Gina, at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged N600,000 visa scam.
The accused, who lives at Egbeda area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining under false pretences.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Benson Emuerhi, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Feb. 13, at 10.30am. at Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos.
He said that the accused, who claimed to be a travelling agent, collected N600,000 from the complainant, one Emmanuel Kelvin, with a promise to procure a Canadian Visa for him.
“Whenever the complainant requested for the visa, the accused gave different excuses.
“The accused collected the money in installments and failed to get the visa as promised; he converted the money into his personal use,’’ he said.
Emuerhi said that the accused also collected the complainant’s international passport.
He said that whenever the complainant asked for his money, the accused threatened his life.
Emuerhi said the offences contravened Sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 287 of the law prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 stipulates 15 years for obtaining money by false pretence.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty of the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Olufunke Sule-Amzat, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two responsible sureties in like sum.
Sule-Amzat said the sureties must be gainfully employed with an evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until Oct. 29, for further hearing. (NAN)
LAW/IKU/SOA
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Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Oluwole Sogunle