A Magistrates’ Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday, sentenced a 33-year-old man, Olawale Abiodun, to three years imprisonment for N3.1m visa fraud.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Abiodun, whose address was not provided, was found guilty of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence, fraud, and stealing.
The Magistrate, Mr S. S. Shotayo, said that the prosecutor, Insp. Evelyn Motim proved the charges preferred against the convict beyond a reasonable doubt.
He sentenced Abiodun to three years imprisonment without an option of fine and ordered him to pay N3.1m as restitution to the complainant.
Earlier, the prosecutor told the court that the convict committed the offences between Oct. 17 and Nov. 29, 2023, in the Ibara area of Abeokuta.
Motim said the convict falsely presented himself as a travel agent to the complainant, Saidat Amodu, and fraudulently collected N3.1m from her.
“He took the money under the pretext of procuring a UK visa for the complainant siblings. After collecting the money, he refused to take the complainant’s calls.
“Abiodun converted the money into his personal use. All efforts to get the money back from him proved abortive,” she said.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 516, 421, 390(9), 436 and 419 of the Criminal Law of Ogun State.
