Travel agent appears in court over alleged N2.1m fraud

Herman Raymond, a 39-year-old travel agent, on Wednesday appeared in a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding a business person of N2.1 million.

Raymond, who lives in Malali Kaduna, is standing trial on a two-count charge of stealing and fraud.

Insp Chidi Leo, who’s the Prosecutor, informed the court that the defendant carried out the offences sometime in March 2021 at Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.

He narrated that the complainant, Mr Samson John, electronically transferred to the bank account of the defendant from his own First Bank account so that he would he would help him process his travel logistics.

He further said that the defendant fraudulently got the N2.1 million on the pretence of getting a Canadianflight ticket, visa and hotel reservations for the complainant, but presented him fake ticket and visa.

The prosecutor revealed that when the complainant could no longer find the defendant, he decided to report the case to the police where an investigation was done and Raymond was apprehended in Asokoro, Abuja.

The offences were in contravention of Sections 314 and 271 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017.

When the matter was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ibrahim Emmanuel, who’s the Magistrate has granted the accused the sum of N500, 000 bail plus provision of two sureties in like sum.

He added that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant living within the jurisdiction of the court.

Emmanuel further, ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed person with presentation of evidence of payment of three years’ tax to Kaduna State Government.

The magistrate has adjourned the matter until November 28 for hearing.