Man, 29, faces N5m visa scam charge

A 29-year-old man, Henry Stephen, who allegedly obtained the sum of N5 million from a woman under the guise of procuring visa for her son, has appeared before an Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

The defendant is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and breach of the peace.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Benedict Aigbokhan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in September 2023 and January 2024, at No. 9, Oguntoyinbo, Ikotun, Lagos.

He said the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace by fraudulently obtaining the money from one Mrs Stella Obi, under false pretences.

“The defendant promised to procure a visa for the woman’s son to travel outside the country but failed to do so,” he said.

According to him, the offences contravene Section 168(d) and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.

NEWSVERGE reports that Section 168(d) provides three months’ imprisonment or an option of fine while Section 314 provides 15 years’ imprisonment for offenders.

The Magistrate, Miss O. A Ariyo, adjourned the case until April 26 for review of facts.