Court remands travel agent over alleged N2.8m visa fraud

A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 38-year-old travel agent, Elijah Samson, in a correctional center for alleged N2.8m visa fraud.

The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel gave the order after the prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, pleaded that the defendant be remanded as investigation in the matter was ongoing.

Emmanuel adjourned the matter until Jan. 25, 2023 for hearing.

James, a resident of Kinkinau, Kaduna, is standing trial for breach of trust and cheating.

The prosecutor told the court that Sarah Thomas and Christian Gabriel reported the matter at the Police Station Kaduna on Dec. 15.

He said that sometime on Jan. 24, the defendant obtained N1.4m each from the complainants on the pretext of being a travel agent.

“The defendant claimed he could assist them in securing a travel visa to the United States (US) and Dubai.

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

“Efforts made by the complainants to get the visa or retrieve their money from the defendant proved unsuccessful as he refused to pick calls from the complainant’s cell phone,” he said.

He said that the defendant was arrested on Dec. 16 at his house after the complainants got his address from his friend.

The prosecutor said that the offences violated Sections 287 and 314 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.