UK visa fraud: Abuja court to rule on virtual evidence

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Jabi has fixed February 18, 2026, to hear and determine a motion seeking leave for a United Kingdom–based Nigerian to testify virtually in an alleged visa fraud case.

The motion was filed by the Inspector-General of Police, requesting that the complainant, Emmanuel Opeyemi Makinde, be allowed to give evidence from the United Kingdom, where he is currently resident.

The prosecution had arraigned Shitta Waliu Aderibigbe and Fanzine Educational Consult before Justice Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo on a two-count charge of allegedly providing false information to the British government. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their plea, the court granted bail in the sum of ₦1 million, with two sureties who must be civil servants not below Grade Level 9 and residents of the Federal Capital Territory. The sureties were also ordered to deposit their passport photographs with the court registry.

According to the charge dated April 9, 2024, Aderibigbe was accused of falsely informing the British Embassy that Emmanuel Opeyemi Makinde was married to Dolapo Afussat Yusuf. The police alleged that the misinformation threatened Makinde’s deportation to Nigeria and was knowingly unlawful, constituting an offence punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of Northern Nigeria.

The alleged offence was said to have occurred on January 19, 2023. One of the defendants, Dolapo Afussat Yusuf, was listed as being at large.

During proceedings on Wednesday, prosecution counsel Vincent Imoedemhe informed the court that a motion had been filed for the complainant to testify virtually, adding that the defence had been served.

In response, defence counsel said she had only just received the application and would require time to study and respond to it, noting that the defence intended to oppose the request.

The prosecution subsequently asked for a brief adjournment to allow both parties argue the motion, after which the court would deliver a ruling.

After hearing submissions, Justice Oyeyipo adjourned the matter to February 18, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.

Makinde, who is reportedly battling depression and currently on antidepressant medication, is also challenging an attempted deportation in the United Kingdom through an appeal and judicial review.