EFCC arraign man over N23.5m visa scam in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Tuesday, arraigned one Ewulum Chimeze Felix, before the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, for allegedly scamming a man of N23,500,280 under the pretence of helping him with a visa and other travelling documents.

Docked before Justice Mojisola Dada, Felix is facing 11 count-charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and forgery, preferred against him by the EFCC.

M. B. Isha, EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, told the court that the incident took place at the defendant’s firm, where it is alleged to have conducted business under the name and style of Slenzy Ventures.

Isha told the court that the defendant allegedly defrauded Nnochiri Chiedozie Boniface, under the pretext of securing a United Kingdom visa, work permit, and certificate of sponsorship to facilitate his travel abroad.

The prosecutor said that after receiving the money, Felix reportedly failed to fulfil his promise.

Isha also told the court that the defendant, sometime in 2024, in Lagos, fraudulently obtained the sum of N18,038,000 from Boniface.

He said the defendant allegedly claimed the money was meant for processing a UK visa and work permit, which he knew were false.

The anti-graft agency also accused the defendant of being in possession of several fraudulent documents, including a forged Florida driving licence bearing the name “Vojtisek Adriena,” which he allegedly presented to unsuspecting victims to further his fraudulent schemes.

When the charges were read to him, Felix pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, requested the court to fix a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial.

But the defence counsel, Michael O. Nwigbo, informed the court of a pending bail application and requested a short adjournment to hear it.

Justice Dada subsequently adjourned the matter to June 17, 2025, for trial and ordered the remand of the defendant in a custodial facility.