The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a woman, Joanah Eyere Eyong, before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N16.7 million visa fraud.
Eyong, was arraigned on Wednesday, November 4, alongside her company, Joanah Eyere Consulting Limited, on a four-count charge bordering on the alleged fraudulent conversion of funds belonging to two individuals, Ngozi Amanda Okwuchukwu and Udogwu Clement Ikechukwu, under the pretext of processing visas for them.
Okwuchukwu was said have paid Eyong N5.7 million, while Udogwu paid N11 million. Her offence contravenes Section 383 (1) and punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, F.B. Orilade, urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional facility and requested a date for the commencement of trial.
Justice Osiagor, however, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N12 million with one surety in like sum.
The judge stipulated that the surety must be a civil servant on Grade Level 15, own landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and be verified by the court’s registrar. The defendant was subsequently remanded in a Correctional facility pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions.
The case was adjourned till March 17, 2027, for the commencement of trial.
