Court sentences man to two years in prison over N1.8m visa fraud

A Kaduna Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday sentenced Michael Timothy, 40, to two years in prison for N1.8m visa fraud.
After pleading guilty to the crime, Timothy was sentenced without the option of a fine by Trial Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel.
Emmanuel noted that the sentence would be served consecutively and would act as a deterrence to others.
Earlier, Insp. Chidi Leo, the Prosecutor, told the court that Timothy was charged with collecting money by pretence.
Timothy, according to him, fraudulently acquired N1.8 million from Cynthia Cole with the promise of obtaining a Canadian visa for her.
He stated the offence violated the Kaduna State Penal Code of 2017.
The prosecutor called four witnesses during the trial who informed the court how the convict committed the crime on February 20.