A man, Israel Onen, was arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of a visa fraud scheme involving N60 million.
Onen appeared before Justice Ibrahim Kala on Monday, January 12, facing four charges including conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, fraud, and stealing, as outlined in the police charge marked FHC/L/1203C/2025.
During the arraignment, the prosecutor told the court that Onen conspired with others, who remain at large, between 2024 and 2025 to defraud the complainant, Akinola Ayodele Emmanuel. He claimed that Onen collected N60 million under the guise of procuring Ireland and Schengen visas for the complainant’s clients.
“The visas were never procured, and the money was not returned,” the prosecutor added.
The police further stated that Onen’s alleged actions violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, and the Criminal Code.
When the charges were read, Onen pleaded not guilty.
Following the plea, the prosecutor requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in police custody, citing multiple complaints against him.
“We are asking that the defendant be remanded in the custody of Zone 2 Command because there are several complaints against him,” the prosecutor said.
Defense counsel O. Ogu opposed the request, urging the court to grant bail.
“We have filed and served our bail application on the prosecution, and we pray the court to admit the defendant to bail on liberal terms,” he stated.
Justice Kala granted bail in the sum of N60 million with one surety of equal value. The judge specified that the surety must either be a civil servant of at least Grade Level 13 or a property owner with assets valued at N60 million.
Additionally, the court ordered that both the defendant and the surety deposit two passport photographs, their National Identification Numbers, Bank Verification Numbers, bank account details, and phone numbers used for alerts.
“The court registrar and the prosecutor are to participate in the verification of the bail conditions,” the judge ruled.
The case was adjourned to February 12, for trial, with Onen remanded in the custody of the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, pending the completion of his bail requirements.
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