Police Arraign 50-year-old Man For N1.6m Visa Fraud

The Police on Thursday in Lagos docked a?50-year-old man,?Thanni Ganiyu?before a Tinubu Magistrates' Court for fraudulently collecting N1. 6 million, as visa fees from Taye Atanda Buari and Nimota Balogun.

Ganiyu, who resides at No. 12, Idi St., Lagos Island ,is facing a one-count charge of illegal conversion of property.

The Police prosecutor, ASP A.C. Orji told the court that the accused committed the crime between Feb. and Aug.

“Ganiyu claimed to be a travel agent and collected the sum of N1.2 million from Buari and another N450, 000 from Balogun.

“He promised to procure visas to travel to Mecca for them, so that they could perform?the Hajj,” he said.

Orji said that?that the accused then absconded with the money and all efforts made by the complainants to get back their money from him did not yield results.

He said the offence contravened section 312 (1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty.

After taking his plea, the magistrate, Mr Martins Owumi granted him bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He?adjourned the case to Jan. 22 for mention. (NAN)