A based businessman, Ogochukwu Raphael, based in Sokoto State, is now stranded
after he came to Lagos to visit a church to seek spiritual solution over his dwindling fortunes in business.
According to him, apart from the fact he was defrauded of N750,000 for fake visa, the pastor allegedly collected another N800,000 for prayers for business success before he would travel out of the country with the Visa.
Consequently, Pastor Chike Ifeanyi of Christian City International Church has been arrested and charged before Isolo Magistrates’ court for his alleged involvement in the fraud.
45yrs old Pastor Ifeanyi allegedly collected N750,000 from Oguchukwu Raphael under false pretence that he was procuring an Australian resident Visa for him.
The incident happened in Itire area of Lagos where the pastor resides. But the prayer was conducted at a church at Oke Afa where Raphael was made to part with the "deliverance fee".
Ifeanyi, who hails from Anambra State and resides at Balogun Estate, Ajah, was finally arrested at Idimu after several months of hide-and-seek over the matter.
After the victim paid the money, it turned out that it was a scam as Ifeanyi did not procure any visa nor return the money to Raphael.
Rather, he told him that the embassy requested additional 10,000 dollars as deposit and sent him away from the church.
The matter was reported to the police who trailed Pastor Ifeanyi until he was arrested. He was charged with obtaining and stealing under the Criminal Code.
When the charge was read to him, as usual he pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Joy Ugbomoiko granted him bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The case has been adjourned till 2 March, 2016, for trial.
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