A 45-year-old man, Adeniran Gbadebo, was arraigned on Tuesday before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over allegations of defrauding a man of ₦8.5 million under the guise of procuring an American visa.
Gbadebo, a resident of Idimu, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of fraud, conspiracy, and stealing. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikayare, the defendant committed the alleged offences in 2023 at No. 3, Adekinbola Street, Idimu, in collaboration with accomplices who are still at large. Ikayare said Gbadebo collected ₦8.5 million from the complainant, Mr. Joseph Agege, promising to secure an American visa for him but failed to deliver.
Further investigations revealed that the defendant used a cryptocurrency account, identified as OX90A61BB86A569AE10LC87DA42BOD59CB94F3F88, to receive the funds, which he allegedly diverted for personal use.
Ikayare stated that the offences violated Sections 287(5), 314, and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State. Section 287 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 314 provides a 15-year sentence for obtaining by false pretenses.
Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate L.A. Owolabi granted Gbadebo bail in the sum of ₦500,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be gainfully employed and present evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The case has been adjourned to February 3 for mention.
