Scam
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Aug. 1, 2018 (NAN) The police on Wednesday docked a 37-year-old Festus Akooko at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged N7 million visa scam.
The accused, whose address was not given, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.
Insp. Benson Emuerhi, the prosecutor, told the court that the accused committed the offences between April and May in Ikeja.
He alleged that the accused falsely presented himself as a travel agent and collected N7 million from the complainant, Chipizi Fopa-George, with a promise to procure for him a Schengen visa to France.
“The accused collected the money by instalment and failed to get the visa as promised; he converted the money to personal use,’’ he said.
The prosecutor alleged that whenever the complainant asked for his money, the accused would threaten his life.
The offences contravened Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
Section 287 prescribes 14 years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 stipulates 15 years for obtaining money by false pretences.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat granted the accused a bail of N2 million with two responsible sureties in like sum.
Sule-Amzat adjourned the case until Nov. 26. (NAN)
LAW/FLP/DA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dele Akinsola