By Bamidele Kolawole

A 26-year-old visa agent, Victor Ayomide, was on Thursday arraigned, before an Akure Magistrates’ Court sitting in Oke-Eda, for allegedly defrauding a man of N3,040,000.

Ayomide was alleged to have defrauded the complainant under the guise of securing visas for his wife and children to the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.

He is facing charges of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and stealing, before Magistrate Sunday Adedapo.

Police prosecutor, Nelson Adetimehin told the court that the defendant, alongside others at large, committed the alleged offences in October 2024 at Oke-Aro, Akure.

He claimed Victor collected the money from one Abiodun Jacob, under the false pretence of processing visas, but failed to deliver.

One of the charges read:”That you, Ayomide Victor, and others at large, on or before October 2024, at Alagbaka, Akure, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, obtained N3,040,000, from Abiodun Jacob, under the pretence of processing visas for his wife and children to the USA, UK, and Australia, which you failed to do.”

The prosecutor said the offences violated Sections 411, 314(1)(a), and 365(2)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015, and Sections 383 and 390(9) of the Ondo State Criminal Code, 2006.

Victor pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyer, Tiwo Israel, appealed to the court to grant him bail on liberal terms, promising that the defendant would not jump bail.

Magistrate Adedapo granted bail at N2 million with one surety in the same amount. The court required the surety to provide proof of tax payment to the Ondo State Government and a verified address.

The case was adjourned to February 10, 2025, for mention.