12th August, 2015
Cyriacus Izuekwe
Pastor (Mrs) Joy Tongo of the Mountain of Fire Ministry, Yaba headquarters, has been charged before Isolo Magistrates’ court and remanded in prison for her alleged involvement in a visa scandal in Lagos State, western Nigeria.
The 35-year old Tongo allegedly defrauded Stanley Dim under the false pretence of procuring him a Chinese visa for missionary journey.
According to Dim, Tongo met him at the church headquarters in Yaba and promised to link him with her partner in China for missionary journey and thereafter he could stay back there and earn a living.
Tongo allegedly told him that he will pay N300,000 for the procurement of visa and other necessary documents for the trip.
Dim, who did not suspect any foul play, gave her the money and she promised to get back to him with the visa a day before the journey.
Tongo allegedly failed to deliver the visa on the day she promised Dim. The travel period also elapsed and there was no alternative arrangement for the trip to China.
When Dim contacted Tongo, she said the journey had been postponed and it will be for another date.
After days passed and promises failed, Dim demanded for his money back which Tongo refused to pay.
She claimed that she had used the money to obtain forms for his travel documents.
The matter was reported at Alakara police division and Tongo was arrested and charged to court.
She was charged with obtaining under false pretence and stealing under the Criminal Code.
She pleaded not guilty and the presiding Magistrate, Mrs Joy Ugbomoiko, granted her bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She was remanded in prison custody pending when she will perfect her bail.
The matter was adjourned till 5 September, 2015