FBI agent testifies against American in Lagos special court

A staff of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mr Ayotunde Solademi, on Thursday told an Ikeja Special Offences Court how an American allegedly defrauded two Nigerians of USD368,698.

Solademi testified that the American,  Marco Ramirez, defrauded the Nigerians on the pretext of procuring Green Cards for them.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Remirez on an amended nine counts bordering on obtaining money under false pretences.

The defendant is facing trial alongside his companies: USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP.

Solademi said that the Office of the Legal Attache in the U.S. Consulate, sometime in 2016, received a letter from EFCC requesting that the FBI should assist it to find out about the EB-5 Investor Immigrant Programme.

The witness said: “The request was also to know if USA Now LLC has the right to issue out the EB-5 Investor Immigrant visa to Nigerians.

“The FBI investigated the matter relating to questions that were asked.

“We responded to the EFCC based on our search and people interviewed.

“The main crux of our finding is that Nigeria is not a participant of the EB-5 Investor Immigrant Programme.

“If Nigeria is not a participant, then no company has been given the licence or right to give out the visa to them.”

The witness identified an FBI correspondence with  EFCC, and it was admitted  in evidence.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel,  Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), the witness said that the defendant was  also wanted in the U.S. to stand trial for some other charges against him.

“Sometime in 2018, the FBI wanted the EFCC to return the defendant to the U.S. to face charges against him,” he said.

EFCC alleges that the defendant  defrauded Mr Gabriel Ogie and Mr Oludare Talabi of USD368,698  on the pretext that the sum was their  investment in his company, which would qualify them to be eligible for issuance of U.S. Green Cards.

EFCC had informed the Court  that Solademi was its last witness and would close its case.

Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the case until June 24, for  defence to open its case.