By Ado Oyeyemi
A 48-year-old travel agent, Akiah Edward, has been arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Isabo, Ogun State, for allegedly obtaining N6m from a man under false pretence in connection with a Canadian visa.
Edward was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The prosecutor, Evelyn Motim, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences on June 21, 2026, at about 2:30pm in Abeokuta.
Motim alleged that Edward was introduced to the complainant, Nasir Abiola, as a travel agent and subsequently promised to facilitate his Canadian visa application.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant initially requested N500,000 from Abiola as a commitment fee for the travel arrangement.
She said Edward later collected N4.7m and an additional N800,000 from the complainant, bringing the total amount paid to N6m, while another N3m was reportedly to be paid after the completion of the visa process.
Motim told the court that Abiola repeatedly sought updates on the visa application after making the payments, but the defendant allegedly responded with excuses that were not justified.
The prosecutor said the alleged offences contravened Sections 390(9) and 419 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
Edward pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Sam-Obaleye, granted him bail in the sum of N9m with two sureties in like sum.
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The magistrate directed that the sureties must be registered bondsmen with the Ogun State Judiciary and ordered that Edward be remanded at the Ibara Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
The court adjourned the case until October 14, 2026, for hearing.
