A travel consultant, Waliyu Aderibigbe Shitta, has been arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, over allegations that he orchestrated a fraudulent marriage to secure a United Kingdom visa for a client without the consent of a UK-based Nigerian whose identity was allegedly used in the process.
The prosecuting witness, ASP Monday Onoja, told the court that Mr Shitta and his firm, Fanzine Educational Consult, falsely presented to British authorities that one Dolapo Afusat Yusuf was legally married to Emmanuel Opeyemi Makinde, a Nigerian resident in the UK.
Testifying before Justice Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo in suit number CR/215/2025, Onoja said investigations revealed that the defendant processed a visa for Ms Yusuf by adding her as Mr Makinde’s wife in a previous application — without the latter’s knowledge or approval.
According to the officer, trouble began when Mr Makinde’s legitimate wife applied for a UK visa but was denied on the grounds that he had earlier declared another spouse in a separate visa filing.
“The complainant got lawfully married, and when he attempted to bring his legitimate wife abroad, her visa application was refused because he had previously declared another marriage,” Onoja told the court.
He added that police investigations uncovered that Ms Yusuf had been falsely listed as Mr Makinde’s wife in documents submitted to British immigration authorities.
Onoja further revealed that the Nigeria Police formally contacted the British government for verification and supporting documents after discrepancies emerged.
“When we questioned the suspect about the marriage certificate, he said everything was done online and that he did not have a physical copy of the certificate,” the witness said, noting that Mr
Shitta could not produce any valid marriage document linking Mr Makinde and Ms Yusuf.
Counsel to the complainant, Muhydeen Adeoye and Fatima Raji, appeared in court, while Kehinde Giwa represented Mr Shitta and his company.
The court adjourned proceedings till March 23, 2026, to continue hearing and determine an application seeking leave for the nominal complainant to testify virtually from the United Kingdom.
In a reaction obtained by PLATFORM TIMES via WhatsApp, Mr Makinde denied any knowledge of Ms Yusuf or participation in any marriage arrangement.
“I have never met or married her. The agent handled my application, and I was unaware of any such arrangement,” he said.
Mr Makinde disclosed that the development had placed him under scrutiny in the UK, with authorities allegedly threatening him with deportation despite findings that he did not personally partake in the alleged fraud.
“The only reason I have not been arrested is because investigations showed I did not personally participate in the fraudulent marriage.
However, they insist I should have known what the agent was doing and are still considering deportation,” he said.
He added that he had been battling the issue since February 2024, describing the ordeal as distressing.
The case has drawn attention to the activities of travel agents and the growing concerns over immigration fraud schemes that expose unsuspecting clients to severe legal and diplomatic consequences.
If convicted, the defendant could face penalties under Nigeria’s criminal laws relating to fraud and misrepresentation.
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