Travel agent faces N280,000 visa fraud charge

Lagos – For allegedly obtaining N280,000 under false pretense, a 31-year-old travel agent, Williams Adewale, was on Tuesday charged before an Abule Egba Senior Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Adewale, who resides in Atan area of Ogun, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretense and stealing.

The prosecutor, Insp. Racheal Williams, told the court that the offences were committed sometime in April, at 17, Ige St., Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

Williams said that the accused collected N280,000 from one Mr Victor Okonkwo under the pretense of securing a Chinese visa and some travelling documents for him.

“The accused refused to pick his calls anytime the complainant called and was giving one excuse or the other,” the prosecutor said.

According to Williams, the offences violate Sections 285 (1) and 312 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and the Senior Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, granted him N200,000 bail, with one surety in like sum.

Elias adjourned the case till July 11 for mention.

– NAN