The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has prosecuted a man identified as Ewulum Chimeze Felix for an alleged visa scam involving ₦23,500,280 million.
According to the EFCC, Chimeze was arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, on an 11-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and forgery to the tune of ₦23.5 million.
The Commission stated that he allegedly promised to help the petitioner obtain a United Kingdom (UK) visa, work permit, and a certificate of sponsorship to facilitate travel abroad. However, he allegedly failed to fulfill the promise after collecting the money.
One of the counts reads: “EWULUM CHIMEZE FELIX (Trading Under the name and style of Slenzy Ventures), sometime in 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of ₦18,038,000.00 (Eighteen million Thirty-eight Thousand Naira only) from Nnochiri Chiedozie Boniface by falsely representing that the money was for procuring the United Kingdom visa and work permit, a representation you knew to be false.”
Another count reads: “ That you, Ewulun Chimeze Felix, on or about 10th March, 2025 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession several fraudulent documents, one of which is a forged Florida Driver’s licence with the name “VOJTISEK ADRIENA”, which you presented to unsuspecting victims, a representation you knew to be false.”
He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him and in view of this, prosecution counsel, M. B. Isha, prayed the court to set a trial date.
Isha also urged the court to remand the defendant at a correctional centre pending his trial date.
The defence counsel, Michael O. Nwigbo, informed the court of a pending bail application for his client, and requested a short date for the hearing.
Consequently, Justice Dada adjourned the matter until June 17, 2025, for the commencement of trial and ordered the custodial remand of the defendant pending his trial.
