EFCC arraigns Port Harcourt doctor over N39.1m visa fraud – Newstrends
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EFCC arraigns Port Harcourt doctor over N39.1m visa fraud

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Dr. Nekabari Dambere Nathan

EFCC arraigns Port Harcourt doctor over N39.1m visa fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a medical doctor, Dr. Nekabari Dambere Nathan, before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians of N39.1 million under the guise of securing foreign visas and job placements.

According to a statement issued by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Dr. Nathan was arraigned alongside his company, Global Horizons Academy Ltd, on a one-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and advance fee fraud.

The charge reads: “That you, Dr. Nekabari Dambere Nathan and Global Horizons Academy Ltd between 8th April, to 12th December 2023 at Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of Thirty-Nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty-Seven Thousand Naira (N39,157,000.00 only), from Justice Toojah Iyieagbu, the Managing Director of Riskout Consults, which was meant for processing of visa for his clients for Canada, Ireland and the United State of America, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.”

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Dr. Nathan pleaded “not guilty” to the charge. Following his plea, prosecution counsel A. Abubakar requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in a correctional centre. However, defence counsel Friday Otanjah informed the court that an application for bail had been filed on medical grounds, urging the court to consider the bail request to enable the defendant stand trial.

Justice Ajoku adjourned the matter to June 25, 2025, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody. The trial was also fixed to commence on November 27, 2025.

EFCC said Dr. Nathan was arrested after a petition alleged that in February 2023, he falsely presented himself as a professional caregiver trainer and travel agent who could secure visas and employment opportunities in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

The petitioner further claimed that Dr. Nathan approached Riskout Consults and persuaded its students to pay for visa processing, job placement, and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam registration.

According to the EFCC, “The students, the petitioner alleged, transferred money to the tune of N39,157,000.00 (Thirty-nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty-seven Thousand Naira) to the defendant, after which the defendant neither secured the visas nor job placements for the victims. He was further alleged to become incommunicado and frustrated all efforts by the victims to recover their money from him.”

EFCC arraigns Port Harcourt doctor over N39.1m visa fraud

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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July 9, 2025

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UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

– No transit visa for 18-45-year-old

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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July 9, 2025

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Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

The United States Department of State on Tuesday announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria said effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

The statement, however, said that those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

The US was earlier considering imposing a visa ban on Nigeria.

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“We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the statement published on its website said.

The US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems, it stressed, adding, “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

It said that the US Mission was working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria could meet the criteria.

“Nigerian travellers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date,” it said.

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

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Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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3 hours ago

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July 9, 2025

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University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Tragedy struck in the Choba area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend when a pregnant 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, allegedly burnt her boyfriend, Sunny Amadi (32), to death.

While the exact circumstances leading to Cynthia’s actions are unclear, some neighbours told Daily Trust it might have resulted from a minor argument between the couple.

It was gathered that the deceased is the father of the child Cynthia is carrying.

Residents of the area reported that Cynthia, who fled the scene immediately after the incident, was later arrested by the police operatives and she is also receiving treatment for burns she sustained during the incident.

The incident, which occurred a few minutes after 11pm, saw some public-spirited neighbours rush the deceased to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment, where he unfortunately died.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

She stated that Cynthia is currently receiving treatment at a hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident.

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Due to her critical condition, she is currently unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so once her condition is stable.

SP Iringe-Koko’s statement read:

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries.

‘’He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

“Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, police detectives from Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim, who was in critical condition at the hospital. ‘’Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.

“The police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.

‘’She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child. Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so when her condition is stable.

“The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further developments will be made public as more information becomes available.”

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

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