‎Man faces trial in Lagos over N60m visa fraud

A man, identified as Israel Onen, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on allegations of involvement in a N60 million visa racketeering and fraud scheme.
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‎Onen was brought before Justice Ibrahim Kala on Monday by officers of the Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, facing a four-count charge that includes conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, fraud, and stealing in a case marked FHC/L/1203C/2025.
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‎According to the prosecution, Onen and others currently at large allegedly defrauded a complainant, Akinola Ayodele Emmanuel, between 2024 and 2025 by falsely claiming he could secure Ireland and Schengen visas for Emmanuel’s clients. The prosecution said the visas were never obtained and that the N60 million paid was neither used for its intended purpose nor returned to the complainant.
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‎Police stated the defendant’s conduct violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, and relevant sections of the Criminal Code.
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‎Onen pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. The prosecution sought that he be remanded in custody, citing additional complaints against him, but the defence counsel, O. Ogu, opposed the application and applied for bail on liberal terms.
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‎Justice Kala granted bail in the sum of N60 million with one surety in like sum. The court ordered that the surety must be a civil servant of Grade Level 13 and above or a landed property owner with property valued at N60 million. In addition, both the defendant and surety must deposit two passport photographs each and provide their National Identification Numbers (NIN), Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), bank account details, and phone numbers used for receiving alerts. The registrar and prosecutor are to verify the bail conditions before the defendant’s release.
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‎The matter was adjourned to February 12, 2026, for trial, with the court ordering the defendant to remain in the custody of the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, pending the fulfilment of bail requirements.