A 52-year-old travel agent, Lamidi Muis, was on Monday arraigned at a Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for obtaining N1.3 million from a client with pretence to procure Australian visa for him.
Muis is facing a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining by false pretences.
The defendant, who resides in Mushin area of Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty.
Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in June, 2019, in Apapa area of Lagos.
Olaluwoye said that the defendant stole the money of the complainant, Mr Uthman Musbau, given to him through an electronic transfer for his travel logistics.
According to him, the defendant had promised to procure an Australian visa, a flight ticket and hotel reservation for Musbau, which he failed to do.
Olaluwoye said the defendant forged a visa and flight ticket and gave them to the complainant.
“My lord, it was at the airport that the complainant discovered that the ticket and visa were fake.
“He was seriously embarrassed and almost arrested at the airport for trying to travel with a fake ticket and visa.
“Musbau reported the case to the police, and the defendant was arrested,” the prosecutor said.
He said the offences contravened Sections 411, 314 and 287 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 314 stipulates 15 years’ imprisonment for obtaining by false pretences, while Section 287 carries three years’ jail term for stealing.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluwatoyin Oghere, released the defendant on bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties each in like sum.
Oghere said that one of the sureties must be blood relation of the defendant and should reside within the court’s jurisdiction.
She ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years’ tax payment to Lagos State Government.
Oghere adjourned the case until Aug. 7 for trial.
