A 37-year-old businessman, Raphael Anasonye, was on Friday charged before an Ejigbo Magistrates` Court in Lagos over alleged fraud and the forgery of a visa for his client.
Anasonye, who resides at No. 12,??Bashiri St., Igando, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and forgery.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Oladejo Balogun, told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 6, 2011, at Chy-Villa Travels and Tours Ltd., Igando, Lagos.
Balogun said that Anasonye, being a staff of the travel company, fraudulently obtained the sum of N490, 000 from one Mr Chukwuma Brown, a client.
“Anasonye obtained the money from Brown under the false pretence of securing for him a Qatari Visa.
“He, however, forged the State of Qatar visa number- 22201103553 and a Qatar Airways flight travel ticket No. QR 593, in the name of the complainant, purporting same to be original,'' Balogun said.
According to the prosecutor, the complainant was detained at the airport as a result of the forged visa and ticket.
The accused absconded since last year, until he was apprehended by the Police on June 4.?
Balogun said that the offence contravened Sections 312 (1)(a) and 362 (2)(a) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty, and the Magistrate, Mrs Maimunat Folami, granted him bail in the sum N400, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned till July 16, for mention. (NAN)