A 48-year-old travel agent, Akiah Edward, has been arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Ogun State over an alleged N6 million Canadian visa fraud.
Edward was charged with obtaining money by false pretence and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace after allegedly collecting the money from a client, Nasir Abiola, to facilitate his Canadian visa application.
The prosecutor, Inspector Evelyn Motim, told the court that Edward initially collected N500,000 as a commitment fee before receiving an additional N4.7 million and N800,000, bringing the total to N6 million.
According to the prosecution, the defendant later requested another N3 million to complete the process but allegedly failed to provide updates on the visa application and instead gave the complainant several excuses.
The alleged offences were said to have contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006. Edward pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate O.O. Sam-Obaleye granted the defendant bail in the sum of N9 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties are required to be registered bondsmen with the Ogun State Judiciary.
The court ordered that Edward remain at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions and adjourned the case until October 14 for hearing.
