By Paul Iyoghojie
A 40-year-old businessman, Ayodele Mac Davis, has been arrested by the Adeniji Adele Division police in Lagos Island and charged in a Magistrate’s Court for allegedly conspiring with a woman, now at large, to defraud a visa seeker of N6.9 million.
The police allege that Davis collaborated with Beatrice Evbuomman, a native of Benin City, Edo State, to collect N6.9 million from the complainant, Habeeb Isaq, under the false pretense of obtaining a Canadian visa for him.
According to police reports, Davis and Evbuomman failed to deliver on their promise and instead misappropriated the funds before fleeing.
Following the incident, Isaq reported the case to the Divisional Police Officer, who directed his team to locate the suspects. The police successfully apprehended Davis at a hideout in Lagos, while Evbuomman managed to escape to Togo.
After an investigation led by Sergeant Abraham Friday, Davis, who hails from Warri, Delta State, and resides on Agbor Close, Osoloway, Isolo, Lagos, was charged at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court on four counts related to obtaining money by false pretenses, theft, and aiding Evbuomman’s escape. Police Counsel Ben Ekundayo informed the court that the offenses occurred on March 23, 2024, at 5 Odunfa Street, Lagos Island.
Ekundayo highlighted that Davis knowingly conspired with Evbuomman, the mastermind behind the fraudulent scheme, to deceive Isaq regarding the visa procurement.
Davis pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate M.A. Owunmi granted him bail of N2 million, requiring two sureties of equal amount. The case has been adjourned to August 27, 2024, for trial commencement.
