Police Arraign Ghanaian For Alleged N7.4m Visa Fraud

The police in Lagos have arraigned a Ghanaian national, Yaw Agyei, before the Federal High Court in the state for allegedly obtaining N7.462 million from unsuspecting public members under false pretences of assisting them in procuring travel visas.

Yaw Agyei was docked before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Magistrate Ester Kubeinje, by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Lagos.

The defendant, who was arrested by the X-Squad of the FCID Annexe, led by Commissioner of Police Bose Akinyemi, faces allegations of fraud and dishonesty.

During Tuesday’s arraignment, the prosecutor, Morufu Animashaun, informed the court that the offences occurred on August 20, 2014, at Oaks Hotel, located at 5 Ogunyade Street, Gbagada, Lagos.

Animashaun explained that the defendant fraudulently obtained money from Christopher Asiogwu under the false pretence of securing an American visa.

The police prosecutor, however, alleged that once the defendant received the money, he disappeared and became evasive.

He further claimed that the offences violated sections 314 and 280 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law, Cap C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015, and are punishable under section 287 of the same law.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the defendant’s plea, Animashaun requested a trial and urged the court to remand him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending the conclusion of the trial.

In response, the defence lawyer moved a bail application, which the prosecutor opposed because Agyei is a Ghanaian and, therefore, considered a ‘flight risk.’

However, Magistrate Kubeinje ruled in favour of granting bail, setting the amount at N1 million with two sureties in a similar sum.

The Magistrate ordered that each surety must provide evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State government, must reside within the state, and demonstrate proof of means of livelihood.

The Magistrate also instructed the prosecutor to verify all of the bail conditions.

The court then remanded the convict in the custody of the Ikoyi Custodial Centre until his bail conditions are met, before adjourning the case to July 23 for mention.