A 50-year-old woman, Amope Adebanjo, who allegedly defrauded 13 persons of N22.9million on the pretext of assisting them secure travel documents, on Thursday, appeared before an Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court.
The defendant, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.
Adebanjo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecutor, ASP. Matthew Famuyiwa, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime between October 2020 and March 2022 at Sodeke Titun area in Abeokuta.
Famuyiwa explained that the defendant conspired with others still at large and represented herself as a travel agent able to assist the complainants to obtain Canadian visas.
He said that the defendant obtained N1.320millon from one Omotoyosi Ayuba, N950,000 from Oludayo Arogundele, N970,000 from one Rukayat Iyoiola and N3.5million from Ndidi Obiora.
He added that the defendant also collected N800,000 from Mr Lanre Akindele, N 950,000 from Rafai Akinwunmi, N1.4million from Segun Idowu, N1.2million from Kazeem Oladele and N8million from one Mr Anate Iliahs.
“Also, Adebanjo fraudulently obtained N950,000 from Azeez Quadri, N400,000 from Kemi Sanusi, N700,000 from Akinfemi Matthew, N750,000 from Oluwatosin Okunola and N1.5million from Sunday Morris.
Famuyiwa said that a total of N22.99 million was obtained from the complainants, which the defendant converted to his own use, knowing fully well that he was not capable of procuring the visa. READ ALSO:
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The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Law of Ogun 2006.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.K Araba, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She thereafter adjourned the case until March 29 for hearing (NAN)
