Ghanaian Nabbed over Forgery In Nigeria

A Ghanaian has been arrested by men of the Anti-Fraud Section of Zone 2, Criminal Investigation Department of the Police in connection with forging a Nigerian passport.

Stating how Ernest Ofori (Ghanaian) was arrested, Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Mr. Adedayo Adeoye, during an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos, said on January 8, on invitation, men from the anti-fraud proceeded to the American Consulate, arrested Miss Charity Chiwonuche Mammah, who allegedly presented a forged American visa to the Netherlands Embassy with a view to obtaining a transit visa.

"During interrogation, the suspect implicated Mrs. Felicia Eze, a travel agent. The arrest of the woman led to the apprehension of Ernest Ofori, a Ghanaian residing at 13, Osho-Olodo Compound, Iganmu, Lagos," the AIG said.

He said on interrogation, Ofori confessed to be an expert forger with specialisation in passport/visa racketeering.

On how he got the passport and visa, Ofori allegedly confessed that he used to buy expired American/ European visa stickers, wipe off information in them with some chemical, print another information, and thereafter, super-impose the photograph of intending customers on the defaced visa by implanting it in the standard (International) passports.

Adeoye said Ofori confessed further to have perfected visas that enable successful entry of his clients into Europe and America, "but at the end of the day, the unsuspecting victims were at the mercy of deportation, despite the huge amount paid for the worthless visas".

The AIG said that another suspect, Salawu Fatai, was arrested over passport racketeering, forgery and stealing on February 1, at the American Consulate in Lagos.