American Knows Fate Over $1.2m Visa Scam September 10

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja will on September 10, 2024, deliver judgement in the alleged $1.2 million US visa scam involving an American businessman, Marco Antonio Ramirez.

Justice Dada fixed the date after the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the defence lawyer adopted their final written addresses, yesterday.

The EFCC had arraigned Ramirez and his companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Capital Group LP, for an alleged $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam.

The anti-graft agency accused the foreigner of obtaining money from his victims as processing fees for their investments in his company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which would qualify them for the issuance of a USA Green Card. However, the defendant allegedly did not fulfil his promise.

The EFCC has alleged in the charge marked ID/2763c/2016 that the American and his companies, sometime in February 2013 and August 2013 in Lagos, defrauded three Nigerians of the said sum.

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The offences, according to the EFCC, are contrary to and punishable under sections 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2004.

Ramirez had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charge brought against him

One of the counts in the amended charge alleges that between February 5, 2013, and April 18, 2013, Ramirez and his companies dishonourably converted to their personal use the sum of $545,000 belonging to Godson Onyemaechi Echegile.

Another count alleges that between July 12, 2012, and November 7, 2012, they dishonourably converted to their personal use the sum of $314,800 belonging to Abubakar Umar Sadiq.

Additionally, the trial Judge adjourned the case till September 10, 2024, for judgement in a separate amended nine-count charge bordering on an alleged $368,698.24 fraud brought against the defendant.

One of the counts in the separate charge alleges that on or about July 26, 2013, with intent to defraud, Ramirez and his companies obtained $250,000 from Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon under false representations regarding an investment in their company. Another count alleges that on March 5, 2014, Ramirez received $50,281.33 from Oludare Talabi under false representations about the United States of America L1 VISA programme.

The proceedings have experienced several adjournments due to the absence of the defence counsel, Lawal Pedro (SAN), and the defence’s failure to file its final written addresses. However, the adoption of the final written addresses was eventually held on May 8, 2024.