WorldStage— The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ikoyi, Lagos has arraigned Joanah Eyere Eyong and her company, Joanah Eyere Consulting Limited, before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged N16.7 million visa fraud.
The defendants were arraigned 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 visa applications.
The count one reads: “That you JOANAH EYERE EYONG and JOANAH EYERE CONSULTING LIMITED between 7th and 8th November, 2023, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently convert to your own use the total sum of N5,700,000 (Five Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira Only) being funds belonging to Ngozi Amanda Okwuchukwu which came into your possession in the course of visa processing application, with intent to use the said funds at your will and thereby committed offense of stealing contrary to section 383 (1) and punishable under section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Another Count reads: “That you JOANAH EYERE EYONG and JOANAH EYERE CONSULTING LIMITED between 14th June and 29th July, 2024, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently convert to your own use the total sum of N11,001,800 (Eleven Million, One Thousand , Eight Hundred Naira Only) being funds belonging to Udogwu Clement Ikechukwu which came into your possession in the course of visa processing application, with intent to use the said funds at your will and thereby committed offense of stealing contrary to Section 383 (1) and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The alleged offences are contrary to Section 383(1) 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.
