The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Thursday arraigned Ihueze Uche Kelvin and Onuora Felix over alleged visa scam and forgery.
The duo were dragged before Justice Babangida Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 35, Jabi, Abuja, on a 16-count charge bordering on forgery.
Counsel to the commission, Golden Iwuagwu, said before the court that Kelvin had connived with Felix to forge statements of account of five banks namely: Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, First City Monument Bank and First Bank of Nigeria for his clients, who are now at large, to present at the Indian High Commission, Abuja, with the intent to obtain a visa, an offence that is contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.that’s
The court was also told that Kelvin allegedly forged five letters of recommendation for tourism visa purportedly signed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, with the intent to mislead the Indian High Commission in order to procure visas for his clients, thereby contravening Section 363 of the Penal Code Act.
ICPC further informed the court that the accused persons forged National Assembly staff identity cards, thereby committing an offence which is contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. Their lawyers, N. M. Nwosu and Ifeanyi Ajegbu, in their bail applications, asked the court to grant them bail in liberal terms pending the final determination of the case.
Justice Hassan, while ruling on the bail applications, granted each of the accused persons bail in the sum of N2 million and a surety in like sum.
He also said the sureties must not be below Grade Level 12 in the employment of the Federal Government and must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.
But the matter was adjourned to May 27, for hearing.
