Desperate Nigerian man bags 3 years jail term for presenting fake marriage certificate at UK embassy
A desperate man, Kolawole Viyon, in his bid to flee Nigeria to the United Kingdom has landed himself in serious trouble with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
Viyon had lied about his marital status while trying to convince the UK embassy he deserved to be given visa.
He had, on December 13, 2016, claimed that one Olaronke Akerele is his third and legally married wife, while presenting a marriage certificate.
The embassy found out about his lies and handed him over to the ICPC.
The ICPC’s prosecuting counsel, Mr. Gogodoye West, had earlier told the court that the British High Commission had in 2016 handed over Viyon and his accomplice for giving false information in their visa application forms.
West told the court that “in his extrajudicial statement volunteered under caution before Mrs. Nkem Ezenwa, an investigating officer with the ICPC, he made a false statement that Olaronke Akerele is his third and legally married wife.
“Viyon informed Ezenwa and Mr. Kenneth Agba, another investigating officer of the ICPC, that the marriage ceremony between him and Akerele was conducted by an Imam under Islamic law.
“The defendant said the marriage was evidenced by a certificate with number JUN/LB/0000064 which is dated January 9, 2016 and issued by the Jama-at-ul-Islamiyya of Nigeria.
“Viyon also lied that he had signed the marriage certificate and that the ceremony was conducted at No 108 Tokunboh St., Lagos Island, Lagos,” the prosecutor said.
West, however, told the court that investigation revealed that there was neither marriage contracted between Viyon and Akerele nor a marriage certificate issued by the Jama-at-ul-Islamiyya of Nigeria to that effect.
At the resumed hearing at the Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday, Viyon pleaded guilty to an amended three counts bordering on knowingly making false statements.
But prior to his plea bargain, the prosecution applied to the court for the withdrawal of the charge against Akerele, who has since absconded.
“The application for withdrawal has become necessary since she has been on the run and we have been unable to apprehend her.”
The presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, sentenced Viyon to three years imprisonment with an option of N300,000 fine.
Dada said Viyon must pay the fine within 24 hours, else he would serve a mandatory jail term.
Viyon’s counsel assured the court that the money would be paid on time.
