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.

READ ALSO: Visa Rejection Rates Hits High In Canada As 2.36 Million Applications Denied

“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.

READ ALSO: Nigeria To Roll Out Electronic Visas To Curtail Corruption In Immigration Service

“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.

READ ALSO: FG To scrap Visa-on-arrival Policy By April

“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.”