A 38-year-old travel agent, Kenneth Udemba, who allegedly defrauded two persons of N1.2 million on the pretext of procuring visas for them, on Thursday, appeared before a Surulere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos.
Udemba, who resides at No. 133, Otun-Oba Bus Stop, Itire, Surulere is facing a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Insp. Courage Ekhueorohan told the court that the defendant committed the offences in September at No. 133, Otun-Oba Bus Stop, Itire, Surulere.
Ekhueorohan said that the defendant collected N992, 260 from one Mr David Ibeh with a promise to secure an Australian visa for him, but failed to do so.
He said that the defendant also collected N285,000 from one Mr Chinonso Obi under the pretext of procuring for him a Denmark visa.
Ekhueorohan said that efforts made by the complainants to get back their money proved abortive.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 stipulates three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 provides for 15 years jail term for obtaining money by false pretences.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Otitoju, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Otitoju ordered that the sureties should have means of livelihood and evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
She adjourned the case until Jan.19 for mention.