Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has scheduled September 10, 2024, as the date for delivering judgment in the alleged $1.2 million US visa scam involving American businessman Marco Antonio Ramirez.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is prosecuting Ramirez and his companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, for an alleged $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam.
The defendant is accused of obtaining money from his victims as processing fees for their investments in his company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme, which would qualify them for the issuance of a USA Green Card. However, the defendant allegedly did not fulfill his promise.
Ramirez initially pleaded “not guilty” to a 12-count charge. He was later re-arraigned on June 24, 2022, on an amended 16-count charge.
One of the counts in the amended charge alleges that between February 5, 2013, and April 18, 2013, Ramirez and his companies dishonorably converted to their personal use the sum of $545,000 belonging to Godson Onyemaechi Echegile.
Another count alleges that between July 12, 2012, and November 7, 2012, they dishonorably converted to their personal use the sum of $314,800 belonging to Abubakar Umar Sadiq.
Additionally, the trial Judge adjourned the case till September 10, 2024, for judgment in a separate amended nine-count charge bordering on an alleged $368,698.24 fraud brought against the defendant.
One of the counts in the separate charge alleges that on or about July 26, 2013, with intent to defraud, Ramirez and his companies obtained the sum of $250,000 from Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon under false representations regarding an investment in their company. Another count alleges that on March 5, 2014, Ramirez obtained $50,281.33 from Oludare Talabi under false representations about the United States of America L1 VISA program.
The proceedings have experienced several adjournments due to the absence of the defense counsel, Lawal Pedro, SAN, and the defense’s failure to file its final written addresses. However, the adoption of the final written addresses was eventually held on May 8, 2024.
Following the adoption, Justice Dada adjourned the case till September 10, 2024, for judgment.
