A 40-year-old businessman, Kayode Jacob, has been arraigned before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, over an alleged N4.3 million New Zealand visa fraud.
He is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing to which he pleaded not guilty.
ASP Ikem Uko, the Prosecutor, stated that between Aug. 2020 and October/November 2021, Jacob committed the offences at Imeke, Badagry area of Lagos state.
Uko told the court that the defendant acquired the sum of N2,350,000 from one Owonare Adeniyi under the deception of securing a two-year New Zealand working visa, which was revealed to be fabricated.
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“The defendant allegedly collected N1,350,000 from one Omosanya Shina on the pretense to procure two years New Zealand visa which was also discovered to be fake.
“He also allegedly collected another N600,000 from another complainant, Dare Sholade on the pretense to procure two years New Zealand visa which again was discovered to be fake.
“The defendant who failed to fulfill his promise instead converted the N4.3m from the three complainants to his personal use,” he said.
According to Uko, the crimes violate Sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 287 of the law, however, specifies three years jail term for stealing.
Patrick Adekomaiya, the Chief Magistrate, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Adekomaiya said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant while the other should be a community leader, and adjourned the case until May 10th.
