By Deborah Akpede
Lagos – A travelling agent, Bengamin Oweka, 34, was on Thursday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding two men of N1million under the pretence of procuring visa for them.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Essien Ndarake told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 14 at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA).
Ndarake said that the accused obtained the money from Messrs Samuel Kanu and Violent Obi with pretence of procuring Canadian visa for them.
The prosecutor said that the accused requested for N1million to get the complainants’ visas which they gave him.
“He demanded for N1million to assist in obtaining visa for the complainants and after he collected the money, he was nowhere to be found again.
“Efforts made by the complainants to see the accused to get their visa or money proved unsuccessful until he was arrested,’’ he said.
The accused, whose residential address was not stated, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The offence contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 attracts 15 years jail term for obtaining money under false pretences.
The Magistrate, Mrs M.I Dan-Oni granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties.
She said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The case was adjourned until Sept. 28 for mention.
