Man Faces Trial Over N8.5M Visa Scam

By Felix Kuyinu

One Adeniran Gbadebo has been held on trial for being a suspect of visa scam.

Gbadebo, 45, who resides in Idimu area of Lagos is facing trial of fraud, conspiracy and stealing.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges while on arraignment at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

Nevertheless, Supol Josephine Ikayare, the Prosecutor, told the court that the suspect alongside others at large promised to procure an American visa to an unsuspecting victim identified as Joseph Agege.

Ikayare mentioned that the defendant, sometime in year 2023 at No 3, Adekinbola Street, Idimu, requested for the sum of N8,500,000 from Agege to procure the visa. The Prosecutor said that the accused failed to do so and didn’t refund the money back to the victim.

It was also alleged that Gbadebo used a cryptocurrency account, identified as OX90A61BB86A569AE10LC87DA42BOD59CB94F3F8 to receive the funds, which he allegedly diverted for personal use.

Ikayare stated that the offences violated Sections 287(5), 314, and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. He informed that Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 314 provides a 15-year sentence for obtaining by false pretenses.

The Presiding Magistrate, Lateef Owolabi, granted Gbadebo bail in the sum of ₦500,000, with two sureties in like sum.

Owolabi ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and present evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

He adjourned the matter till February 3.