The Inspector-General of Police has arraigned a businessman, Shitta Waliu Aderibigbe, and his firm, Fanzine Educational Consult, before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi over alleged UK visa fraud and marriage scam.

According to court documents, Aderibigbe and his firm were charged with providing false information to the British Embassy by claiming that one Emmanuel Makinde Opeyemi was married to Dolapo Afussat Yusuf. The alleged fraudulent activity took place on January 19, 2023.

The police prosecutor stated that as a direct consequence of this false information, Emmanuel Makinde Opeyemi now faces deportation back to Nigeria. The accused has pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge dated April 9, 2024.

Justice Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo, who presided over the case, granted Aderibigbe bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties who must be civil servants not below level 9 in the Federal Civil Service. The judge further ordered that the sureties must deposit their passport photographs at the court registry and must be residents of the FCT.

The charges against Aderibigbe and his firm include conspiracy to commit felony by giving false information to a public servant, an offence punishable under Section 97(1) of the Penal Code Act (1990, CAP 532), and providing false information to the British Embassy, punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Act, CAP 98 Law of Northern Nigeria.

Dolapo Afussat Yusuf, who was also implicated in the alleged scam, was noted to be at large according to the charge sheet.

The case highlights growing concerns about visa fraud and immigration scams involving Nigerians seeking to travel abroad through fraudulent means. The British Embassy and Nigerian authorities continue to collaborate to curb such practices that often lead to deportation and legal consequences for those involved.