By Milcah TanimuBy Milcah Tanimu

In a recent development, two travel agents based in Lagos have been brought before the court on charges of allegedly defrauding a woman of the sum of N1,050,000 by falsely promising to secure South African visas for her clients.

The accused individuals are Yusuf Salami, aged 44, and Nureni Akerele, aged 47. Both reside in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State. They have been charged with multiple offenses including conspiracy, stealing, and obtaining money under false pretenses. The arraignment took place at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, where the accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Evelyn Ehieniua, the defendants purportedly committed the offenses on June 26 in Iyana Ipaja. It is alleged that they received the mentioned amount from Mrs. Comfort Olajide, promising to secure South African visas for three of her clients. However, the visas were not obtained, and the money was not returned despite efforts to retrieve it.

The charges levied against the defendants fall under various sections of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, including Sections 287 (stealing), 314 (obtaining money under false pretenses), and 411 (conspiracy).

The presiding Magistrate, Mr. M. A. Adegbaye, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 along with two sureties in the same amount. The case is scheduled for mention on September 19.