Lagos AG Denies EFCC Claim Of Adjournment In American Visa Scam Trial

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, has strongly denied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) claim that he was responsible for delaying the trial of an American man convicted of a $1.2 million visa scam.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that

Marco Ramirez, an American businessman, was sentenced to 68 years in prison last week for defrauding Nigerians through the EB-5 visa program. The EFCC had accused Pedro of causing delays in the trial, but Pedro has refuted this claim, stating that the court records show he conducted the trial diligently.

Pedro said the EFCC’s statement was misleading and unfair, as he had ceased representing Ramirez after becoming Attorney General in September 2023.

He also accused the EFCC of omitting key facts from the report, such as the defense’s argument that Ramirez had the necessary approval and license to process visas at the time of the alleged fraud.

 American Visa Scam

Pedro emphasized that the report was an attempt to discredit him and mislead the public. He called on the EFCC to provide a more balanced and accurate account of the case.