Britons arrested on Nigerian visa fraud charge

Two Britons have been arrested in Nigeria after allegedly conspiring to forge a Nigerian visa and impersonate a government minister.

Ian Cunliff and Ofir More have appeared before a Federal High Court in the capital city of Lagos accused of forging expatriate approval by fraudulently signing the name of the Director of Citizenship and Business Department, Ministry of Interior Adetayo Sode.

Cunliff and More are alleged to have conspired on the 28, September, 2011 to forge not only an expatriate approval, but a business permit and a Nigerian visa on Cunliff's UK passport.

According to the court, the 16 counts outlined charge are in violation of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and are punishable under a group of laws which cover 'economic and financial crimes [which] mean the non-violent criminal and illicit activity committed with the objectives of earning wealth illegally either individually or in a group or organised manner'.

The Nigerian prosecution has three witnesses to support their case: Mr Sode and his deputy as well as a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration.

The case has been adjourned until May, 24.

The Worldwide Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in Nigerian immigration services.