By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, has arraigned one Ewulum Chimeze Felix before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on an 11-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, stealing, possession of fraudulent documents, and forgery amounting to a total of ₦23,500,280 (Twenty-Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty Naira).
The arraignment, which took place on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, followed allegations that Felix, under the guise of facilitating travel opportunities to the United Kingdom, defrauded an unsuspecting petitioner of millions of naira by promising a visa, work permit, and certificate of sponsorship which he allegedly failed to deliver after collecting the funds.
According to court documents, Felix operated under the business name “Slenzy Ventures” and allegedly misled the petitioner, Nnochiri Chiedozie Boniface, into parting with large sums under false promises.
One of the charges reads: “EWULUM CHIMEZE FELIX (Trading Under the name and style of Slenzy Ventures), sometime in 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N18,038,000.00 (Eighteen Million Thirty-Eight Thousand Naira) from Nnochiri Chiedozie Boniface by falsely representing that the money was for procuring the United Kingdom visa and work permit, a representation you knew to be false.”
Another count accused Felix of being in possession of forged identification materials: “That you, Ewulum Chimeze Felix, on or about 10th March, 2025, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession several fraudulent documents, one of which is a forged Florida Driver’s Licence with the name ‘VOJTISEK ADRIENA’, which you presented to unsuspecting victims, a representation you knew to be false.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to him in court.
Following his plea, the prosecuting counsel, M.B. Isha, requested a date for trial and asked the court to remand the defendant at a correctional facility pending the commencement of proceedings. In response, the defence counsel, Michael O. Nwigbo, informed the court of a pending bail application on behalf of his client and requested a short adjournment for the hearing of the motion.
Justice Dada granted the prosecution’s request and ordered that the defendant be remanded at a correctional centre. The matter was subsequently adjourned to June 17, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
The EFCC continues to caution members of the public against falling victim to travel-related scams and urges citizens to verify all visa and sponsorship offers through official channels before making any financial commitments.
