The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought criminal charges against Dr. Nekabari Dambere Nathan, a Port Harcourt-based medical practitioner, over a suspected visa fraud scheme that allegedly defrauded unsuspecting Nigerians of more than ₦39 million.
The EFCC’s Port Harcourt Zonal Office arraigned Dr. Nathan before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday. He was docked alongside his company, Global Horizons Academy Ltd, on a one-count charge of obtaining money under false pretence and advance fee fraud.
The alleged fraudulent activities are said to have occurred between April 8 and December 12, 2023, and revolve around fake promises of job placements and visa procurement for Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. The EFCC stated that the total sum involved in the scam was ₦39,157,000, equivalent to approximately $26,000 USD at current exchange rates.
False Promises and Bogus Professional Claims
The EFCC launched its investigation following a petition filed in February 2023 by the Managing Director of a consulting firm, Riskout Consults, Mr. Justice Toojah Iyieagbu. According to the petitioner, Dr. Nathan approached his company under the guise of being a licensed care-giving trainer and travel agent with international affiliations.
The complaint detailed that Nathan convinced students enrolled with Riskout Consults that he could facilitate their relocation abroad, particularly for caregiving jobs in Canada, Ireland, and the UK. He also claimed to be able to register them for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) — a major requirement for migration to most English-speaking countries.
Based on these representations, Riskout Consults and its students allegedly transferred a cumulative sum of over ₦39 million to Nathan and his firm for visa processing, job placement, and exam registration.
However, according to the EFCC’s findings, none of the promised services were delivered, and the doctor became completely unreachable after collecting the funds. Multiple attempts by victims and the petitioner to recover their money proved futile.
The Legal Charge and Courtroom Proceedings
The charge brought against the defendant reads in part:
“That you, Dr. Nekabari Dambere Nathan and Global Horizons Academy Ltd, between 8th April and 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 (₦39,157,000) from Justice Toojah Iyieagbu, the Managing Director of Riskout Consults, which was meant for the processing of visas for clients to Canada, Ireland, and the United States of America — a claim you knew to be false, thereby committing 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, 2006.”
During Thursday’s hearing, Dr. Nathan pleaded “not guilty” to the charge. His legal representative, Friday Otanjah, submitted an application for bail on medical grounds, arguing that the defendant’s health condition required attention outside detention facilities in order to ensure he could adequately participate in his trial.
In response, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, A. Abubakar, requested that the court set a trial date and order that the defendant be remanded in custody pending the resolution of the bail motion.
Justice Ajoku adjourned the matter until June 25, 2025, to hear arguments on the bail request. She also ordered that Dr. Nathan be held in EFCC custody until then. The case was further adjourned to November 27, 2025, for the formal commencement of the trial.
Visa Scam Epidemic: A Broader Crisis
This case is part of a wider trend of fraudulent migration schemes in Nigeria, where desperate job seekers and students often fall prey to individuals and agencies claiming to provide swift relocation pathways to Europe and North America. In many instances, these fraudsters exploit the demand for overseas caregiving jobs and educational placements, collecting exorbitant fees for nonexistent opportunities.
According to the EFCC’s 2024 annual report, visa fraud accounted for nearly 8% of total financial crimes prosecuted, with cases primarily concentrated in cities like Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Benin. Most perpetrators use fake documents, forged letters of employment, or nonexistent training centers to deceive applicants, while often presenting themselves as professionals in healthcare, education, or travel consultancy.
Recent high-profile convictions and ongoing investigations have underscored the urgent need for tighter regulation of migration advisory services in Nigeria. In April 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced a travel agent to 10 years in prison for defrauding 45 applicants of ₦52 million under the promise of securing Australian work permits.
Public Warnings and Preventive Measures
As visa fraud cases continue to mount, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the EFCC have repeatedly warned the public to conduct proper due diligence before entering into agreements with agencies or individuals claiming to offer guaranteed foreign employment or admissions.
A spokesperson for the EFCC in Port Harcourt reiterated:
“Prospective travelers must verify licenses, demand formal documentation, and avoid cash transactions without receipts. No legitimate agency can promise a visa without meeting proper consular requirements.”
The EFCC also advised Nigerians to use official channels, such as embassies, consulates, and government-verified platforms, for all migration and job application processes. Moreover, it encouraged victims of fraud to report cases immediately rather than remain silent out of shame or fear.
Victims Still Awaiting Justice
Although Dr. Nathan’s trial is now scheduled to begin in November, the victims of his alleged fraud remain in limbo. Several of the students affected by the failed promises have reportedly abandoned their travel ambitions and are dealing with the financial repercussions of the scam.
Some took out loans, sold property, or pooled family savings in the hopes of securing opportunities abroad. Others have expressed frustration that despite filing police reports and petitions, the recovery of their funds has yet to materialize.
An affected student who spoke anonymously said:
“He convinced us he was a professional with links to schools and hospitals abroad. We trusted him because he looked the part — very confident, very educated. Now, all we want is justice.”
What Comes Next
If convicted, Dr. Nathan could face up to 20 years in prison, in addition to fines, asset forfeiture, and restitution to the victims. The EFCC has confirmed it is currently reviewing other petitions against the defendant, and additional charges may be filed depending on the outcome of its investigations.
As the trial approaches, it is expected to shine a broader spotlight on the need for ethical accountability within professional sectors, especially among doctors, lawyers, and educators who use their professional reputations to gain public trust — only to exploit it.
