The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a woman, Joanah Eyere Eyong, and her company, Joanah Eyere Consulting Limited, over an alleged N16.7 million visa fraud.

The defendants were arraigned on Wednesday, November 4, before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, on four counts of alleged fraudulent conversion of funds belonging to two individuals while claiming to process their visa applications.

The EFCC stated that the defendants allegedly converted N5.7 million belonging to Ngozi Okwuchukwu between November 7 and 8, 2023, and another N11 million belonging to Udogwu Ikechukwu between June 14 and July 29, 2024.

The charges were filed under Section 383(1) and are punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all four counts.

Prosecution counsel F.B. Orilade urged the court to remand the defendants to prison custody pending trial.

The judge granted the defendants bail of N12 million each, with one surety in like sum.

The judge ordered that the surety must be a civil servant on Grade Level 15, own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and be verified by the court registrar.

The defendants remained in custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.

The court adjourned the case until March 17, 2027, for the commencement of the trial.