The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, has arraigned Joanah Eyere Eyong and her firm, Joanah Eyere Consulting Limited, before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. The defendants face a four-count charge bordering on an alleged N16.7 million visa fraud.
The anti-graft agency brought the accused before the court following petitions that she fraudulently converted funds belonging to two unsuspecting job-seekers and travelers—Ngozi Amanda Okwuchukwu and Udogwu Clement Ikechukwu—under the false pretense of securing foreign travel visas.
Breakdown of the Charges
According to the charge sheet presented by the prosecution counsel, F.B. Orilade, the fraudulent transactions took place across separate dates:
- Count One: Between November 7 and 8, 2023, Eyong and her company allegedly converted the sum of N5,700,000 belonging to Ngozi Amanda Okwuchukwu, funds that came into her possession strictly for visa processing.
- Subsequent Count: Between June 14 and July 29, 2024, the defendants allegedly converted an additional sum of N11,001,800 belonging to Udogwu Clement Ikechukwu under the same fraudulent guise.
The EFCC noted that these acts constitute stealing and run contrary to Section 383(1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and are punishable under Section 390 of the same Act.
Plea, Bail Terms, and Remand
When the charges were read in open court, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel F.B. Orilade requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility. Justice Osiagor subsequently admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N12 million, with one surety in like sum.
The court attached strict conditions to the bail, mandating that the surety must:
- Be a civil servant on Grade Level 15.
- Possess a verified landed property located within the jurisdiction of the court.
- Be thoroughly cleared and verified by the court’s registrar.
Pending the perfection of these bail conditions, the court ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional center.
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The case has been adjourned until March 17, 2027, for the commencement of trial.