Alleged Visa Scammer Appears in Court

By:Isatou Sarr

A certain Ernest Uzoegba appeared before magistrate I.O Njie of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to answer charges of obtaining money by pretences.

The Inspector General of Police was represented in the case by Corporal 7232 Ebrima Fofana, while the accused had no legal representation.

According to the prosecution, Ernest Uzoegba on or about 26 June 2024, at Brikama Nyambai, Kombo Central, by false pretence and intent to defraud, obtained €3000, an equivalent of D225,000.00 from Abi Bangura with the pretext of procuring her a Europeans visa, which representation he knew at the time to be false.

Uzoegba pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution applied for an adjournment to secure its first witness and did not object to a bail for the accused.

The court, therefore, granted the prosecution’s application and the accused was granted bail in the sum of D225, 000.00 with three Gambian sureties, who shall deposit valid Gambian identification documents, to the court. 

The matter was adjourned to 9 December 2024, for the commencement of hearing.