Skip to main content

EFCC arraigns man for N11.5m visa scam

efcc logo

efcc logo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned an alleged fraudster, Abdulsalam Goni Sanda before Justice Olubunmi Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja on a 4-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence the sum of N11,450,000.

Sanda was alleged to have presented himself as an adhoc staff with the Saudi Arabian Embassy and also a travel agent with the capacity to secure visa for the complainant, one Bello Isah and 49 others who wanted to perform the 2014 hajj.

However, the suspect gave the petitioners photocopies of the visas and asked for full payment after which he promised that they will get the original copy from one Musa Ibrahim. The said Ibrahim collected the photocopies from the complainant and vanished.

Efforts to get him or recover the money proved abortive.

One of the charges reads:

“Abdulsalam Goni Sanda, on about the 22nd day of September, 2014 in Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N1, 000, 000 (One million naira only) from the Traveler Enterprise Limited being part payment of the total sum of N11,450,000.00 (eleven million, four hundred and fifty thousand naira) with the false pretence that the money would be used for the procurement of visas and other travelling documents for various intending pilgrims for 2014 Hajj Pilgrimage”.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Cosmos Ugwu asked the court for a date for trial.

Counsel to the accused person, M. M. Gumsuri urged the court to grant the accused bail.

Justice Banjoko admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties may be ordinary citizens resident in Abuja.

The case is adjourned to September 27, 2016 for trial.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Court grants Fani-Kayode N50m bail

Fani-kayode sandwiched by EFCC officials Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday granted a N50m bail to former spokesman of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. Fani-Kayode was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a five-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N26m. Fani-Kayode is the sole defendant in the fresh charges numbered, FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2016. The EFCC accused the defendant of diverting 26 million Naira allegedly received from the ONSA while Sambo Dasuki was in office. The anti-graft agency also accused him of handling the said N26 million without going through financial institution as required under the Money Laundering Act. The embattled former minister is already facing 17-count charge of money laundering before the Lagos Division of the court, along with a former Finance Minister; Nenadi Usman, Danjuma Yusuf and a firm; Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited. They were charg...
Post a Comment
Read more

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...
Post a Comment
Read more