EFCC arraigns woman over alleged N31m, $3,600, €1,815 Canadian Visa fraud

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Modupe Oriyomi Ativie before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over an alleged visa fraud involving N31.06 million, $3,600 and €1,815.

Ativie was arraigned by the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate before Justice A. T. Muhammed on a five-count charge bordering on alleged visa fraud, advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.

The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, disclosed the development in a statement released on Tuesday.

The commission alleged that Ativie and her company, Eudora and Aegle Management Consulting Limited, collected money from individuals under the guise of securing Canadian visa-sponsored employment opportunities for them.

One of the charges alleged that the defendant and her company obtained N8.58 million from Atamuotoru Dikiari Michael through his sister, Rita Chikeru Owhonda, in July 2024, under the pretence of securing visa-sponsored employment for him in Canada.

Another count accused the defendant and her company of obtaining N22.482 million from Augustine Olague between November 21, 2024, and January 23, 2025, under the same pretext.

The offences are said to contravene Section 1(1)(a) and (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and are punishable under the relevant provisions of the law.

Ativie, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following her plea, prosecution counsel, I. Agwu, urged the court to fix a date for trial and order the defendant’s remand pending the determination of the case.

Defence counsel, J. Kehinde, subsequently applied for bail to enable the defendant to prepare for her trial.

In a brief ruling, Justice Muhammed ordered that Ativie be remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned the case until October 16, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application.
Petition Triggered Investigation

The EFCC said the prosecution followed a petition by Michael Aiamunotorudikari, who alleged that he and other victims lost money in different currencies to the defendant.

According to the petitioner, his sister introduced him to the company’s services in June 2024 after it was presented as an agency facilitating Canadian visas and employment opportunities for Nigerians seeking to travel abroad.

He alleged that he initially paid $5,800 into an account associated with the defendant’s business and later transferred N8.58 million into another account linked to the defendant.

The petitioner further claimed that the defendant became unreachable after receiving the payments and that his efforts to recover the money proved unsuccessful.

The commission said its investigation revealed that the defendant received a total of N31.062 million from the petitioner, as well as $3,600 and €1,815 from other alleged victims.

The case has been adjourned until October 16 for a ruling on the defendant’s bail application, while the allegations remain before the court.