Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos have arrested a suspected fake travel agent, 32-year-old Balogun Olamide Yusuf, for allegedly defrauding a visa seeker, Mrs Kolawole Olorunjuwon, of N11 million under false pretences.
According to police reports, Yusuf allegedly promised to procure a Canadian visa for the complainant but failed to deliver on his promise.
Instead, he reportedly converted the funds to personal use and fled.
Following the development, the complainant filed a petition with the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, who directed officers to track and apprehend the suspect. Yusuf was eventually arrested at a hideout in Lagos through intelligence gathering and tracking.
Yusuf was arraigned before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Tinubu, Lagos Island, on a three-count charge of impersonation, stealing, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The prosecuting counsel, ASP Francis Igbinosa, informed the court that the alleged offences occurred between September 2023 and July 2024 in both Lagos and Ogun states.
He stated that Yusuf collected the money under the guise of helping to secure a Canadian visa, but after receiving the funds, he became unreachable by switching off his phones.
The charges brought against Yusuf are punishable under Sections 168(1)(b), 314, and 280(1)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Yusuf pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Sodiq Bello granted him bail in the sum of N3 million, with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case to January 2025 for mention.
Meanwhile, the suspect was ordered to remain in custody at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until he meets the bail conditions.