By Ayodele Popoola

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An Akure Magistrate Court on Thursday ordered the remand of a 63-year-old travel agent, Daniel Adedotun, at the Olokuta Correctional Centre, over alleged N19.7 million visa fraud.

The police arraigned Adedotun, whose address was not given on a six-count charge bothering on conspiracy, stealing by conversion, obtaining money under pretence, and fraud.

The prosecutor, Simon Wada informed the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offences between February and October, 2023 in Akure.

Wada said the defendant with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N19.7 million from some people’s clients and converted same to his personal use.

of NN9,228,000 from one Mr.Alfesohun Folayele under the pretence of using the same to procure a certificate of sponsorship from the United States of America, (USA) which he failed to do.

The prosecutor alleged the defendant also obtained the sum of N7million from a woman Christianah Jombo under the pretence of using the same sum of money to procure a USA visa for her younger sister Mrs.Aderonke Ayangbemi ‘ which he failed to do.

Wada further alleged that the defendant in June same year, fraudulently obtained a sum of N3,5million from another person, Femi Bayode under the same pretence and converted it to his own use.

The defendant was said to have also issued a Zenith Bank Cheque number 0082143974 domiciled at Zenith Bank Plc, Akure, to pay one Mrs. Jombo Christianah, the sum of N5million only, an account he knew was not funded for the transaction and the cheque was dishonored.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravene Section 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006 and Section 1 (1) (a) (c) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud-related offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2006.

Also, Section 1 (i) b (1 & il) of Dishonor Cheque (Offences) Acts, Cap. DII Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Wada prayed the court to remand the defendant to Correctional Facility pending the outcome of advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni ordered the remand of the defendant at the correctional centre and adjourned the case till January 29, 2024, for mention.