By Deborah Nnamdi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Dr. Nekabari Dambere Nathan, a Port Harcourt-based medical practitioner, over an alleged N39.15 million visa fraud.
Dr. Nathan was brought before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Thursday, alongside his company, Global Horizons Academy Ltd. They face a one-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence and advance fee fraud.
According to an EFCC statement, the case originated from a February 2023 petition accusing Dr. Nathan of posing as a certified caregiver trainer and travel agent. He allegedly claimed he could help Nigerian applicants secure visas and job placements in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
The petitioner said Dr. Nathan partnered with his firm, Riskout Consults, and convinced several students to pay for overseas relocation packages, including enrollment for the IELTS exam. Based on these promises, the students reportedly paid a total of N39,157,000.
However, the promised visas and job opportunities never materialized. Dr. Nathan allegedly ceased communication and ignored all efforts to recover the funds.
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 lyieagbu, 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.”
At the arraignment, Dr. Nathan pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel A. Abubakar requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant in custody.
Defence counsel Friday Otanjah applied for bail on medical grounds, seeking the court’s permission for Dr. Nathan to remain out of custody while awaiting trial.
Justice Ajoku adjourned the case to June 25, 2025, for hearing of the bail application, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody. The trial is set to commence on November 27, 2025.
