A 33-year-old visa agent, Taofeek Chinedu, was on Monday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing the total sum of N207,500 from three persons for securing visa.
Chinedu is facing a ten-count charge of obtaining under false pretence, false representation, stealing and forgery. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Kolade Tedunjaye, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 10, 2019 at about 1pm at 127, Mosafejo Road, Amukoko, Lagos.
“The defendant obtained the sum of N35,000 and N92,500 from one Emmanuel Gbenga and one Adeyemi Johnson by false pretence for securing visa for them and knowing same to be false.
“The defendant falsely represented himself to Gbenga and Johnson as a visa agent at 127, Mosafejo Road, Amukoko, Lagos.
“The defendant stole the sum of N35,000 and N92,500 property of one Emmanuel Gbenga and Adeyemi Johnson. Meanwhile, the defendant forged written documents of visa and handed them over to Adeyemi Johnson,”Tedunjaye said.
The prosecutor also said that the defendant committed another offence on September 4, 2019 at about 1pm at Plot 56B G1 Close 21 Road, 4th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.
“The defendant obtained the sum of N80,000 from one Mrs Ekpebe Oke by false pretence for securing visa for her and knowing same to be false.
“The defendant falsely represented himself to Oke as a visa agent at Plot 56B G1 Close 21 Road, 4th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.
“The defendant stole the sum of N80,000 property of Mrs Ekpebe Oke,” Tedunjaye said.
According to her, the offences are punishable under sections 314, 380, 285 and 365 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.
Magistrate Mark Davies granted him N50,000, N100,000 and N100,000 bail respectively with one surety in like sum.
Each surety is required to furnish the court with proof of tax payment to Lagos State Government.
He adjourned the matter till January 23, 2020 for mention.