UK-Based Nigerian Battles Travel Agent Over Forged Marriage, Identity Theft

A United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Emmanuel Opeyemi Makinde, has concluded his cross-examination before Justice Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Jabi, Abuja, in the ongoing criminal trial of travel agent Waliyu Aderibigbe Shitta and his firm, Fanzine Educational Consult.

Shitta is standing trial over allegations that he fraudulently used Makinde’s personal details and documents to arrange a fake marriage to one Miss Dolapo Afusat Yusuf to facilitate her travel to the United Kingdom without Makinde’s knowledge or consent.

During cross-examination by defence counsel M. D. Owolabi, Makinde maintained under oath that he never met or married Yusuf and had explicitly instructed the agent not to attach any dependent to his visa application.

He stated that the unauthorised inclusion led to the cancellation of his UK visa on October 11, 2024, prompting him to report the fraud to the UK Metropolitan Police, Action Fraud, UK Border Force and the Nigeria Police.

Makinde further informed the court during cross examination that Miss Dolapo Afusat Yusuf has been formally petitioned and reported to the Nigeria Police, where she remains the subject of an active criminal investigation alongside the primary defendants.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution filed an amended three-count charge against the defendants, adding a new count of criminal breach of trust.

Following the conclusion of Makinde’s cross-examination, the prosecution closed its case.

Justice Oyeyipo subsequently adjourned the matter to January 20, 2027, for the defence to open its case.