A Ghanaian national, Yaw Agyei was on Tuesday arraigned before a Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding a Nigerian man, Christopher Asiogwu, of N7.4 million under the guise of securing an American visa.
Agyei was dragged before the court presided over by Magistrate E. Kubeinje by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annexe, Alagbon, Ikoyi, consequent upon his arrest by the X-Squad team led by Commissioner of Police (CP) Bose Akinyemi.
The defendant is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and dishonest collection of funds.
Agyei’s arraignment came as a result of a petition from the complainant, who alleged that he was swindled after paying the defendant a substantial sum in exchange for visa facilitation.
Counsel for the FCID, Morufu Animashaun, informed the court that the offence was committed on August 30, 2024, at Oaks Hotel, No. 5 Ogunyade Street, Gbagada, Lagos.
According to Animashaun, Agyei deceitfully obtained N7,462,000 from Asiogwu with a false promise to help him acquire a U.S. visa.
However, after collecting the money, Agyei allegedly vanished and cut off all communication with the complainant.
The prosecutor noted that the actions of the defendant violate Sections 314 and 280(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and are punishable under Section 287 of the same law.
Agyei, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
As a result of his plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) pending trial.
He also opposed an oral bail application by the defence because Agyei, being a foreign national, posed a flight risk.
Ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Kubeinje granted Agyei bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum.
She stipulated that the sureties must reside in Lagos, provide evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and present verifiable proof of means of livelihood.
The magistrate directed the prosecutor to verify all bail conditions before the defendant could be released and ordered that Agyei be remanded in custody until the conditions are met.
The matter was adjourned to July 23, 2025, for mention.
The charge against Agyei reads in part: “That you, Yaw Agyei, on August 30, 2024, at Oaks Hotel, Gbagada, Lagos, did by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtain N7,462,000 from Christopher Asiogwu for procuring an American visa, a representation you knew to be false.”
Copyright Notice:
All rights reserved. The content on this website, including text and other digital materials, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of The News Accelerator Network.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage, or press releases, please get in touch with us at
📧 thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com
📞 0805 101 7159, 0814 404 8512
Post a Comment