A woman, Modupe Oriyomi Ativie, has been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over an alleged visa scam involving millions of naira, dollars and euros.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Ativie before Justice A.T. Muhammed on a five-count charge bordering on visa fraud, advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.
Modupe Oriyomi Ativie allegedly collected ₦31.062 million, $3,600 and €1,815 from victims under the guise of securing Canadian visa-sponsored employment opportunities.
According to the EFCC, the case followed a petition by Michael Aiamunotorudikari, who alleged that he and other victims lost money to the defendant.
One of the charges accused Ativie and Eudora and Aegle Management Consulting Limited of obtaining ₦8.58 million from Atamuotoru Dikiari Michael through his sister, Rita Chikeru Owhonda, in July 2024.
The money was allegedly collected under the pretext of securing visa-sponsored employment in Canada.
Another count accused the defendant and the company of obtaining ₦22.482 million from Augustine Olague between November 21, 2024, and January 23, 2025, under a similar claim of arranging Canadian employment and visa opportunities.
The EFCC said the complainant alleged that his sister introduced him to the company in June 2024 as an agency that facilitated Canadian visas and employment opportunities for Nigerians seeking to travel abroad.
He reportedly paid $5,800 into an account linked to the defendant’s business before transferring another ₦8.58 million into an account allegedly connected to her.
However, the petitioner alleged that Ativie became unreachable after receiving the payments and that repeated efforts to recover his money proved unsuccessful.
The commission said its investigation revealed that the defendant received a total of ₦31.062 million from the petitioner, while other victims allegedly paid $3,600 and €1,815.
Ativie pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her plea, prosecution counsel, I. Agwu, asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand her pending the determination of the case.
Defence counsel, J. Kehinde, subsequently applied for bail, arguing that the defendant needed to be released to prepare for her trial.
Justice Muhammed ordered that Ativie be remanded in EFCC custody pending a ruling on her bail application.
The case was adjourned until October 16, 2026, for the ruling.
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