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Victims Of Alleged Visa Fraud Petition FG, Seek Dubai-based Suspect’s Arrest, Refunds

Published

6 months ago

March 23, 2025

A law firm, Mbakwe & Co (Graceville Chambers) has petitioned the Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) over alleged visa fraud perpetrated by a Dubai-based Nigerian, one Mrs Victoria Onu Uyigianshi.

In the petition dated March 11th, 2025, the suspect was accused of failing to deliver Canada Work visas to Messrs Paschal Odoemena, Emmanuel Opara, Henry Ugwu, and Chinedu Onuiri, after receiving the sum of two million eight hundred thousand Naira (being part payment of N700, 000 each from the victims).

According to the law firm, the amount was paid into Uyigianshi’s Company Account (JEVON GLOBAL CONSULT LTD), with accompanying acknowledgement of receipt.

The law firm, however, regretted that since February 2023 when the transaction was done, the “suspect” has not only failed to honour her promise of procuring the respective work visas, but also refused to return the victims’ international passports.

The petition, which was addressed to the Chairperson of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, read: “We have been briefed and our services retained by Mr. Paschal Odoemena, Emmanuel Opara, Henry Ugwu, and Chinedu Onuiri. We shall hereinafter refer to them as “our clients” and on their firm instruction we write to you in this matter relating to criminal Breach of Trust, Conspiracy, Cheating, and fraud orchestrated by one Mrs. Victoria Onu Uyigianshi, who is currently residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with WhatsApp number 08162909995.

“It is our instruction that sometime in the month of February 2023, one Ishaya Bawa introduced one of our clients (Mr. Paschal Odoemena) to Mrs. Victoria Onu Uyigianshi so that she may procure/obtain Canadian work visas for Mr. Paschal and the rest of our clients, i.e., Emmanuel Opara, Henry Ugwu, and Chinedu Onuiri, having described her as an expert in that field.

“It is our further instruction that pursuant to that introduction and she holding out herself as one proficient in that area, our client out of sincere trust and belief in her ability to secure the visas paid to her the sum of Seven Hundred Thousand Naira (#700,000.00) each, totaling Two Million Eight Hundred Thousand Naira Only (#2,800,000.00).

“Furthermore, she instructed our clients to deposit their international passports with one Mr. Bawa (an alleged partner in crime), who duly acknowledged receipt of same. The receipts of the bank transfers made by our clients are here attached and marked as Annexure A1 – 4, while the contract agreement acknowledging receipts of the paid sum between Jevon Global Consults Ltd and our clients are hereby attached and marked as Annexure B1- 4.

“Please note that she informed our clients that the balance of (N700,000.00) Seven Hundred Thousand Naira each will be paid immediately the visas are procured, which our clients wholeheartedly agreed to.

“Ever since the sum of money was paid and the passport deposited, likewise the visa application forms which were sent on her instruction through her other partner in the person of Yusuf Mohammed, a staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs FCT – Abuja, for our clients to fill, it has been one story to another with no visa interview scheduled, not to talk of receiving an approved visa.

“Several times, our clients have been summoned to come to Abuja at very short notice from their different locations in the East for an alleged visa interview, which has always turned out to be a hoax. This has added to the pain and anguish of our clients as in most cases they have to borrow money to make those trips, which have always turned out to be futile.”

It continued: “Ma, a calm review of the facts would reveal that these persons conspired amongst themselves with an intent to defraud our clients, because all efforts made by our clients to recover their hard-earned funds, when it became clear that this may be a fraudulent transaction, all proved abortive.

“It is on this basis that, in accordance with our brief, we make this petition urging you, most humbly, to intervene in this case and cause a detailed investigation to be begun in this matter. We acknowledge your zero-tolerance for acts of criminality amongst Nigerians in the diaspora, and we are hopeful that such an investigation will discourage others from obviously defrauding people and escaping abroad.

“Our clients put their trust in the famed efficiency of your office. Thank you and be always assured of our warm professional regards.”

In an earlier reply to a letter forwarded to her, Uyigianshi had responded through her lawyer – Endurance O. Adeoaun, of Prudent Legal Consults.

The reply read: “We acknowledge receipt of your correspondence dated the 8th of February, 2025 regarding the concerns raised by your clients.

“While we understand their frustration due to delays in securing their work visas, it is important to clarify that the scheduling and rescheduling of biometric appointments rest solely with the issuing authorities, a factor entirely beyond our clients’ control.

“Our clients remain fully committed to fulfilling their obligations in good faith and continue to work diligently to ensure the successful completion of the process. However, should your clients be unwilling to await the conclusion of the process, our clients, while not conceding any wrongdoing, are open to discussing a reasonable and convenient timeline for a refund.

“That said, we take strong exception to the use of terms such as “breach of trust,” “cheating,” “visa fraud,” and “conspiracy” in reference to our clients.

“These allegations are not only baseless but also unjustified in what is strictly a business transaction. We urge your clients to exercise caution in their choice of language as unwarranted defamatory accusations have legal consequences.

“We remain open to resolving this matter amicably and in a manner that upholds fairness for all parties involved.

“Kindly advise how your clients wish to proceed.”

News

Back To School: Lions Club Distributes Educational Materials In Edo Schools

Published

9 minutes ago

October 4, 2025

Editor

The Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions of the International Association of Lions Club on Friday jointly distributed educational materials to two schools in Benin City as part of the association corporate services to humanity.

The two clubs in District 404-A4 Lions Nigeria, jointly carried out the distribution of notebooks, maths sets, school bags and sandals, pens and other writing materials to excited pupils in Ivbioba Primary School and Oghede-Ivioba Primary School, Ugbighoko, Egor Local Government Area, and Evbiyenava Primary School, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Themed, Back to School Project, pupils were also engaged in Reading Action Program (RAP) and Spelling Bee Competition, after which winners were presented with special prizes.

In their remarks, Lions Darlington Uyi and Franca Nikoro, presidents of Benin Etete Unique and Edo Heritage Lions Clubs stated that the vision of the Lions International is to serve humanity.

They, therefore, tasked pupils on commitment to their studies in order to attain their fullest potentials in life.

“Emulate Lions in your visions for tomorrow. We have various professionals as members, and if you are committed to your studies, obedient to your parents and teachers, you will attain great heights,” Lion Uyi Darlinton Stated.

“Our vision is to serve, and we are here like we do every period to ensure Literacy is inculcated in pupils to enable them to attain their full potential. It is our earnest desire that you grow into well rounded personalities. Literacy is important in order to actualize that aspiration,” Franca Nikoro stated.

Earlier, in his address, Lion Sir Dede Henry Idemudia, Zone 6A Chairperson, tasked the pupils on good conduct, honour to parents and guardians and obedience to instructions of school authority.

News

NAFDAC Gives Nigerian Food Companies 18 Months To Cut Trans Fats

Published

1 hour ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has set an 18-month grace period, effectively giving food companies until early 2026 before facing full enforcement of regulations to eliminate industrially produced Trans-Fatty Acids (TFA).

The initiative, launched as a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for TFA regulation, moves Nigeria from simply having the policy to enforcing its world-class standard: a regulatory limit of no more than two grams of industrially produced trans fat per 100 grams of total fat or oil.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, emphasised that the roadmap moves the country beyond policy creation to aggressive enforcement and implementation.

This was contained in the NAFDAC DG’s keynote speech posted on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.

Adeyeye stressed the moral imperative of the Agency’s mission.

“The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.

“Eliminating industrially produced trans fats is possible, achievable, necessary, and urgent,” Adeyeye stated, calling for national collaboration.

The moratorium period is designed to allow manufacturers to exhaust existing stock with outdated labels and reformulate their products to comply with the legal limit.

NAFDAC’s action targets a dangerous dietary risk factor strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature death globally.

Adeyeye emphasised the significance of the move beyond technical compliance, noting, “The removal of industrially produced trans fats from the food chain is not only a technical achievement, but a moral imperative.”

This aggressive step builds upon Nigeria’s existing reputation; the country was recognised by the World Health Organisation in 2023 for adopting best-practice TFA elimination policies.

The new roadmap is key to securing WHO validation of Nigeria’s full TFA elimination programme, establishing the nation as a regional leader in public health interventions.

News

Mohbad’s Father Urges Lagos AG To Prosecute Wife, Nurse, Others

Published

2 hours ago

October 3, 2025

Editor

Joseph Aloba, the father of late singer Mohbad, has urged the Lagos State government to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals named in the coroner’s inquest into his son’s death.

Mohbad passed away on September 12, 2023, following an injection administered by auxiliary nurse Feyisayo Ogedengbe.

Despite being buried the next day, public outcry and ongoing investigations led to the exhumation of his body on September 21, 2023, for an autopsy.

In a letter dated October 3 and addressed to the attorney general of Lagos State through his lawyers, Aloba demanded that criminal charges be filed against those indicted within 14 days.

“Specifically, we refer to persons indicted by the coroner’s verdict hereunder: Miss Ogedengbe Fisayo, indicted for unlawful medical practice and gross medical negligence; and Mrs. Omowunmi Aloba, indicted for negligence,” the letter reads.

“This includes Ibrahim Owodunni, a.k.a. Prime Boy, and others who either facilitated the invitation of the auxiliary nurse or refused to take him promptly to a recognised medical facility for treatment.”

Mohbad’s father said he was concerned that despite the coroner’s clear verdict, no prosecutorial steps had been taken against those indicted nearly three months after the judgment.

He asked the attorney general to exercise prosecutorial powers within the 14 days, or, in the alternative, grant him and his legal team a fiat to prosecute the matter on behalf of the state.

“Our Client, as a bereaved father desirous of ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done, is deeply concerned that notwithstanding the clear indictments contained in the Coroner’s Verdict, no prosecutorial steps have been taken against the aforementioned persons since the delivery of the Verdict on 11th July, 2025,” the letter reads.

“The judicial observations amount to clear indictments warranting the prosecution of the said individuals in order to give full effect to the Coroner’s findings and recommendations, and to ensure that justice is manifestly and adequately served in this matter.

“We request that you exercise your prosecutorial power on the above subject matter within 14 Days Next, in view of the high sensitivity of this matter and the public attention and outrage it has generated.”

In October 2023, Naira Marley and Sam Larry were arrested over allegations linking them to Mohbad’s death, but were released on bail after five weeks in detention.

By February 2025, a magistrate court cleared them of any involvement in the singer’s demise.