The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Travel agent

  • Travel agent faces N1.3m visa fraud charge

    52-year-old travel agent, Lamidi Muis, was on Monday arraigned at a Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly obtaining N1.3 million from a client on the pretext of procuring Australian visa for him.

    Muis is facing a five-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining by false pretences.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Modupe Olaluwoye said that the defendant committed the offence last month in Apapa, Lagos.

    She said the defendant stole the money of the complainant, Mr. Uthman Musbau, given to him through an electronic transfer for his travel logistics.

    According to him, the defendant had promised to procure an Australian visa, a flight ticket and hotel reservation for Musbau, but failed to do so.

    Olaluwoye said the defendant forged a visa and flight ticket and gave them to the complainant.

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    “My lord, it was at the airport that the complainant discovered that the ticket and visa were fake.

    “He was seriously embarrassed and was almost arrested at the airport for trying to travel with a fake ticket and visa.

    “Musbau reported the case to the police, and the defendant was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

    Chief Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere granted the defendant N2 million bail with two sureties each in the like sum.

    She said one of the sureties must be a relation of the defendant and should live within the court’s jurisdiction.

    Oghere ordered that the sureties must be employed and show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The case continues on August 7.

  • Travel agent in alleged N3.7m Canada visa scam

    A travel agent, Chinedu Nwosu, who allegedly obtained N3,700,000 from an applicant, under the guise of procuring him a visa to Canada, was yesterday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Nwosu, 43, is standing trial before Magistrate M.F. Onamusi, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence and stealing.

    Prosecuting Inspector Jimoh Joseph alleged that Nwosu committed the offences in January 2018.

    The court heard that Nwosu, alongside accomplices, who are still on the run, presented himself as a travel agent.

    He allegedly obtained the sum from a would-be traveller, Ngwu Chukwuma, under false pretence that he would procure a Canadian visa for him, “an information he knew was false.”

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    The court also heard that the defendant stole the N3.7million from the complainant.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened sections 411, 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Nwosu pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Onamusi granted him N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    One surety must be a relation, the second surety must be a cleric, who must have known the defendant for not less than three years, among other conditions.

    The case continues on May 6.

     

  • Travel agent charged with N1.1m visa fraud

    A travel agent, Amarachi Ogbuchi, was yesterday arraigned at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding Ikechukwu Onuaha of N1.1 million on the pretext of assisting him to obtain Quatar visa.

    Prosecuting Inspector Benson Emuerhi alleged that the defendant committed the offence in January 2017 on Alaje Avenue, Graceland Estate, Egbeda, Lagos.

    Ogbuchi, 37, of no fixed address, is facing three-count charge of fraud, forgery and stealing before Chief Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat.

    Emuerhi alleged that the defendant collected N1.1 million from the complainant with a promise to procure a Quatar visa for him, but failed to do so.

    The prosecutor alleged that Ogbuchi collected the money and failed to get the visa as promised, but rather converted the money to her use and absconded.

    He told the court that when the complainant asked for his money, the defendant threatened him and blocked his phone number.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Sule-Amzat granted the defendant N100, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties must be employed and provide evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Sule-Amzat adjourned the case till May 2.

  • Travel agent in ‘N300,000 visa scam’

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos yesterday granted a 51-year-old travel agent, John Osehaenyi, N100,000 bail, following his arraignment for alleged N300,000 visa scam and forgery.

    Magistrate M. I Dan-Oni ordered Osehaenyi to provide a surety, who must be employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned till March 7.

    Osehaenyi pleaded not guilty.

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    Prosecuting Inspector Victor Eruada alleged that the defendant committed the offence on October 15, last year, in Ikeja.

    He said the defendant collected N300,000 from Mr. Ayodele Ajenifuja on the pretext of helping him to procure a Canadian visa, but failed to do so.

    “Osehaenyi forged a Canadian Embassy’s appointment letter for biometric capturing dated January 9 and presented it to Ajenifuja. It was later discovered to be forged.

    “Attempts by the complainant (Ajenifuja) to collect his money proved unsuccessful, as the defendant refused to pick calls.

    “He reported the case to the police, and the defendant was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

     

  • Travel agent charged with N2.8m visa fraud

    A woman, Uju Akubueze, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a family of N2.8 million.

    Uju, 32, was alleged to have collected the money from Chuks Valentine and his family to procure an American visa for them.

    The defendant, is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, stealing and obtaining under false pretences before Chief Magistrate Yewande Aje-Afuwa.

    Prosecuting Inspector Peter Nwangwu said Akubueze committed the offence sometime last June in Ikeja, Lagos.

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    He alleged that the defendant forged documents in order to the visa for the complainant.

    “The accused collected the money and failed to get the visa as promised, but converted the money to her personal use,” he said.

    The prosecutor said the defendant threatened the complainant whenever he asked for his money.

    Akubueze pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate Aje-Afunwa granted the defendant N620, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned till March 7.

  • Travel agent ‘dupes’ admission seekers of N1m

    A travel consultant, Babatunde Gbadamosi, was yesterday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N1,050,000 from 22 students and issuing them forged Canadian Universities’ admission letters.

    Gbagamosi, 31, of 21, Kumoluyi Street, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos, was arraigned before Magistrate M. O. Osinbajo on 15 counts of conspiracy, forgery, obtaining by false pretence and stealing.

    Prosecuting Inspector Francis Igbinosa alleged that the defendant and others at large committed the offence between 2017 and 2018 at Abeke Animashaun Street, Lekki, Lagos.

    He said they obtained N1,050,000 from Flymate Nigeria Ltd, represented by Mr. Sunkanmi Ali, with a promise to procure admission for the prospective students at the University of Regina in Canada.

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    The court heard that the company later discovered that the letters were forged.

    Igbinosa said the defendant, on February 28, defrauded Chukwuemeka Idi, Raphael Offoelo, Michael Anaetoh, Onyekachi Isidore, Ojo Oladokun, Omoniyi Sowode and Akinpelu Akinwunmi, Monica Ezeh, Oladimeji Apanisil, Justin Nwadiaru, Kehinde Pani, John Obong, Chibuzor Onuegbu, Anayo Agu, Vitalis Agu Mercy Akintunde and Izuchukwu Axhodor, among others.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 287, 314, 366, 370 (b) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Gbadamosi pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Osinbajo granted him N30, 000 bail, with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case continues on January 10.

  • Travel agent ‘forges’ WAEC certificate, bank statements

    A 44-year-old travel agent, Oluseyi Lamoru, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Special Offences Court for allegedly forging a West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate and Ecobank and First Bank statements of accounts.

    He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an eight-count charge of possession of fraudulent document before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

    Lamoru pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor, Mr. Spiff Owede, said the agent committed the offence on August 22, last year in Lagos.

    He alleged that the defendant, with intent to defraud, forged a WAEC certificate with the name Shonubi Muheeba Olasunbo, purporting it to be issued by WAEC.

    “Lamoru with fraudulent intent, forged five Benue State University, Makurdi, certificates, which contained false pretences.

    “He also forged an Ecobank statement of account with number 2852009964 with the name Adewale Anuoluwapo Kudirat and a First Bank statement of account with the name Ajibode Oluwaseun Olusola,” Owede said.

    The offence contravenes Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and Section 363(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

    Owede requested that the defendant be remanded in prison to avoid congesting EFCC cells.

    “With the non-guilty plea of the defendant,  I will ask that he be remanded in prison custody so that we can begin trial immediately,” he said.

    Objecting, Lamoru’s defence counsel Ademola Adewale requested that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.

    “Prior to his arraignment, he has been on administrative bail and he never jumped bail,” Adewale said.

    But Owede said: “Our response is that upon arraignment, the proper custody should be the prison.

    “It’s unfortunate that we have no space in the commission. Immediately he stepped out, a new suspect took his place.”

    Justice Taiwo ordered that Lamoru be remanded in EFCC custody since he never jumped his administrative bail.

    Justice Taiwo adjourned till October 12 for hearing of the defendant’s bail application.

  • ‘Travel agent’ held over ‘N1.2m visa fraud’

    A self styled travel agent, Dele Oguntona, 54, was yesterday hauled before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for “obtaining N1.2million under false pretences.”

    The accused was arraigned before Magistrate O.J. Awope on a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

    Oguntona, who lives in Surulere, Lagos, pleaded not guilty.

    He was granted N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    Awope said the sureties must show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    Prosecuting Inspector Emmanuel Ajayi said the accused committed the offences sometime in March 2015 in Mushin, Lagos State.

    He said the accused obtained N1.2 million from Mr Timothy Oladimeji on the pretext of being a travel agent and could assist him in securing a travel visa to the United States (US).

    “The accused approached the complainant claiming he was a travel agent when he heard that he needed an agent to help him process a US visa.

    “After collecting the money from the complainant, he absconded to an unknown destination.

    “Efforts made by the complainant to get the visa or retrieve his money from the accused proved unsuccessful as the accused refused to pick calls from the complainant’s cell phone.

    “After three years of searching for the accused, the complainant got information about his whereabouts in Aguda near Surulere.

    “He went to the house with the police and the accused was arrested,” the prosecutor said.

    The case continues on September 29.

  • Husband to court: My wife beats me often, separate us

    An Ibadan based travel agent, Mr Oluwatimilehin Oyewole, on Friday begged a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan to dissolve his four-year-old marriage, to save him from constant beating by his wife.

    Oluwatimilehin had in a petition to the court said that his wife, Kehinde usually slaps or mishandle him anytime they had disagreement.

    “My lord, anytime I complain about Kehinde’s waywardness and lack of respect for me, she beats or attacks me with any dangerous thing within her reach.

    “Sometimes, Kehinde freely pulls my manhood as part of her attack on me.

    “Most of the time, I run out of the house for her even in the midnight.

    “However, it is not that she is more powerful than I am, but I am merely trying to avert bloodshed or casualty.

    “I am most disturbed by the disposition of her mother who always supports her misbehaviour.

    “Worst of all, Kehinde has exited my house for more than a year now and I have reports that she has been sleeping with different men around.

    “I was told that if I admit her back into my house without her confessing to me all those who have had sexual intercourse with her, I might have to bear the evil consequence that should naturally befall her.

    “This is the reason why I thought that I should let Kehinde go before she eventually kills me,” Oluwatimilehin stated.

    The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that when the matter came up, Kehinde was not in court to defend the allegations leveled against her.

    The bailiff, however, confirmed that Kehinde was served with the notice to appear before the court.

    The President, Mr Ademola Odunade, adjourned the matter to March 15, for further hearing.

  • Travel agent arrested for ‘N1.7m visa scam’

    Travel agent arrested for ‘N1.7m visa scam’

    The police in Lagos have arrested an unregistered travel agent, Benjamin Danbawa, for allegedly duping an Aba, Abia State-based trader of N1,703,000.

    The Nation learnt that the trader, Ifeanyi Chikwelu, 28, came to Lagos from Aba, in March last year to seek a visa to Canada.

    He reportedly met Danbawa, 41, at the German Consulate on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, who introduced himself as a travel agent and offered to assist him in securing a visa.

    Danbawa allegedly told Chikwelu that an application for a Canadian or United States of America (USA) visa would not be in his favour since both embassies preferred to give visas to elderly people.

    He advised Chikwelu to seek a German or South African visa.

    The suspect, from Kachia Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, allegedly billed Chikwelu various sums totalling N1,703,000.

    They are Visa Application Fee N150,000, Acceptance Fee ‘as a fresher in Canada’ N98,000 and Temporary Residence Fee N400,000.

    Others are N400,000 to put Chikwelu’s bank account in order, N35,000 for hotel reservation, another N35,000 for a cancelled hotel reservation and N70,000 as agent services.

    They also included N35,000 for photos, N150,000 for work permit in Canada and $300 for sending documents to Canada.

    Danbawa was subsequently arrested last month by policemen in  Victoria Island Division following a complaint that he disappeared after collecting the money.

    A police source said investigations showed that Danbawa was neither registered with, nor was an employee of the Canadian High Commission.

    He was arraigned before Mrs. O. M. Ajayi of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos last Friday on two-count charge of obtaining by pretence and stealing.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that the offence contravened Sections 312 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    Danbawa denied the charge and Magistrate Ajayi granted him N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    The case was adjourned till August 17.