A 36-year-old travel agent, Tijani Abdulroqeeb on Thursday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, over alleged N10.6 million visa fraud.
Abdulroqeeb, who resides at the Boluwaji area of Ibadan, is standing trial on a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, stealing and breach of peace. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Sikiru Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant committed the offences with others now at large, in December 2025 at Ibadan.
Ibrahim alleged that the defendant obtained the sum of N10.6 million from a complainant, one Dr Taofeek Abdullah, to facilitate a Mecca visa for some 2026 pilgrims. He alleged that the defendant failed to secure the visas, but converted the money to his personal use.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendant also conducted himself in a manner likely to breach public peace when he was asked to provide the visas or refund the money but refused to comply.
The offences contravene the provisions of sections 249 (d), 390 (9), 419 and 516 of the Criminal Law of Oyo State, 2000.
The Magistrate, Mr. M. Mudashiru, granted the defendant bail in the sum of five million naira, with two sureties in like sum.
The court ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant, while the other surety must provide evidence of three years tax clearance to the state government. He adjourned the case until May 19, for mention.
