Visa scam: Travel agent docked for duping 166 people N700m

A 64-year-old Ibadan-based travel agent, Christon Wilson, is facing trial for collecting N700 million from 166 persons under the pretence of procuring Australian Visa for them.

On Thursday, January 4, an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan granted Wilson bail for N10 million over the alleged visa scam.

The case is in connection with procurement of Australian Visa.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr. O. Abdulsalam, asked for his client’s bail on the most liberal term but the Chief Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Ogunkanmi, granted the bail in the amount, with two sureties.

EFCC raids Dangote office over forex transactions

Ogunkanmi said the sureties must be people with landed property with Certificates of Occupancy within the court jurisdictions.

She, thereafter, adjourned the matter till April 23, for mention.

Wilson of Kristi Manpower, at Damin Plaza, 42, M.K.O. Abiola Way, Ring Road, Ibadan, was charged with 332-count charges bordering on obtaining under false pretence and stealing.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp Sikiru Opaleye, told the court that the defendant, between October 2022 and November 2023, allegedly obtained N6.7 million from one Adekemi Oni.

Opaleye said: “The defendant allegedly collected the money from her under the pretence of procuring Australian Visa for her and her family which he knew to be false and allegedly stole from her

“Dr. Wilson allegedly collected N10.8 million from Olayemi Olamona under the pretence of procuring Australian Visa for him too.

“Defendant allegedly collected different amount of money from 166 persons to the tune of N700 million under the pretence of procuring Australian Visa for them,” he said.

Opaleye said the offence contravened the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.

The Star