EFCC arraigns suspect over N11.5m visa scam
(Nigeria) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Abdulsalam Goni Sanda before Justice Olubunmi Banjoko of an Abuja High Court sitting in Gudu, on a 4-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N11.45milion.
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 into the thin air.
Efforts to get him or recover the money proved abortive.
One of the charges reads:
“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 N1m from the Traveler Enterprise
Limited being part payment of the total sum of N11.45m 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.
Following 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 to bail.
Justice Banjoko, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of
N5million 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.
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