Woman Faces Trial Over Alleged N31m Canadian Visa Scam In Port Harcourt
The EFCC has arraigned Modupe Oriyomi Ativie before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt over allegations that she defrauded victims of millions of naira and foreign currencies through a purported Canadian visa-sponsored employment scheme.
Ativie was brought before Justice A. T. Muhammed by the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a five-count charge involving alleged visa fraud, advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.
One of the charges accused the defendant and Eudora and Aegle Management Consulting Limited of obtaining N8.58 million from Atamuotoru Dikiari Michael in July 2024 by allegedly promising to secure him visa-sponsored employment in Canada.
A separate charge alleged that they collected N22.482 million from Augustine Olague between November 21, 2024, and January 23, 2025, under a similar promise.
The commission said the alleged acts violated provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
After her plea, EFCC prosecution counsel, I. Agwu, urged the court to remand her pending trial and fix a date for the commencement of proceedings.
Defence counsel, J. Kehinde, subsequently sought bail for the defendant to allow her to prepare for the case.
In his ruling on the remand request, Justice Muhammed ordered that Ativie be kept in EFCC custody and fixed October 16, 2026, for a ruling on her bail application.
The prosecution stemmed from a petition alleging that the defendant collected money from several individuals while promising to facilitate Canadian visas and employment opportunities.
The petitioner, Michael Aiamunotorudikari, reportedly stated that his sister, Rita Chikeru Owhonda, introduced him to the company in June 2024 after learning that it was involved in procuring Canadian visas and employment for travellers.
He alleged that he transferred $5,800 into an account associated with the company before paying another N8.58 million into a separate account linked to the defendant.
According to the petitioner, the defendant allegedly stopped communicating with him after receiving the funds, and attempts to recover the money were unsuccessful.
The EFCC said its investigation established that the defendant allegedly received N31.062 million from the petitioner, alongside $3,600 and €1,815 from other individuals who reportedly fell victim to the scheme.
Ativie remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.
