Travel agent in court over alleged N1.1m visa fraud

A travel agent, Kehinde Oluwole, on Thursday appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, over an alleged N1.1 million visa fraud.

Oluwole, 46, is facing a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecutor, Insp Samuel Owolabi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in 2024, at Yerokun area of Ibadan.

Owolabi alleged that the defendant collected the N1.1million from the complainant, Mr Idris Abioye, to procure a Canadian family visa for him, but failed to do so.

He said that the defendant converted the money to his personal use.

Owolabi said that all efforts made by the complainant to get the visa or a refund from the defendant proved abortive.

He said the offences contravened Sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.

The Magistrate, Mrs Gladys Olanrewaju, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Olanrewaju ordered that one of the sureties must own a land within the court’s jurisdiction.

She adjourned the case until Dec.15 for mention.