A 40-year-old businessman, Kayode Jacob, on Tuesday, appeared in a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, over alleged N4.3 million New Zealand visa fraud.
Jacob of no fixed residential address is facing two counts of fraud and stealing to which he pleaded not guilty.
He allegedly, at different times, defraud three people of N2.35m, N1.35m and N0.6m, respectively.
The prosecutor, ASP Ikem Uko, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between August 2020 and October/November 2021 at Imeke, Badagry area of Lagos state.
Uko said that the defendant obtained the sum of N2,350,000 from one Owonare Adeniyi under the pretence of procuring a two-year New Zealand working visa, which was discovered to be false.
“The defendant allegedly collected N1,350,000 from one Omosanya Shina on the pretense to procure two years New Zealand visa which was also discovered to be fake.
“He also allegedly collected another N600,000 from another complainant, Dare Sholade on the pretense to procure two years New Zealand visa which again was discovered to be fake.
“The defendant who failed to fulfil his promise instead converted the N4.3m from the three complainants to his personal use,” he said.
According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 314 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 287 stipulates three years jail term for stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, Patrick Adekomaiya, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Adekomaiya said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant while the other should be a community leader.
The Chief Magistrate adjourned the case until May 10, for mention.
