Fraud
A travel agent, Blessing Ahabue, 49, on Friday appeared before a Mapo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over alleged N10.6 million Australian visa fraud.
Ahabue, however, pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and stealing, brought against him by the police.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Latunji, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million, with two reliable sureties in like sum, who must be blood relatives.
Latunji thereafter adjourned the case until June 26 for hearing.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp Oluseye Akinola, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in August 2025, at about 2.00 p.m., at No. 5, Ajibade Crescent, Sanyo area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Akinola alleged that Ahabue, alongside one Noah Are, now at large, fraudulently obtained N10.6 million through electronic transfer from Ms Bolaji Omikunle.
He said the defendant obtained the money from Omikunle under the pretence of procuring Australian visas for her five clients.
He added that the defendants neither procured the visas nor refunded the money.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 390(9), 419 and 422 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)
