Man Charge Over Alleged N1.7m Visa Fraud

A thirty-four-year-old man, Afeez Gbeleye, was on Monday brought before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over alleged N1.7 million Australian visa fraud.

The defendant was charged with obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

Gbeleye, however, pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Anthonia Osayande told the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 8, 2018, at the Randle Hospital, Surulere.

“The defendant obtained N1.7 million from the complainant, Mr Olamide Oshadipe, on the pretext of securing an Australian visa for him,” Osayande said.

She submitted that Gbeleye failed to procure the visa and refused to return the money, in contravention of Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Adelaja ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until March 4 for substantive trial.