The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Port Harcourt-based medical doctor, Dr. Nekabari Dambere Nathan, for allegedly defrauding Nigerian job seekers of N39.1 million under the pretext of securing foreign visas and employment.
Dr. Nathan was arraigned alongside his company, Global Horizons Academy Ltd, before Justice P. I. Ajoku of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He faces a one-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and advance fee fraud totaling N39,157,000 (Thirty-nine Million, One Hundred and Fifty-seven Thousand Naira).
According to an EFCC statement, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following the plea, prosecuting counsel A. Abubakar requested the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional facility. In response, defence counsel Friday Otanjah applied for bail on medical grounds, urging the court to grant Dr. Nathan bail to enable him stand trial.
Justice Ajoku adjourned the case to June 25, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered the remand of the defendant in EFCC custody. The court further adjourned the matter to November 27, 2025, for commencement of trial.
Dr. Nathan was arrested after a petitioner alleged that, in February 2023, the defendant falsely presented himself as a certified caregiver trainer and licensed travel agent capable of securing visas and overseas jobs in Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
The petition further revealed that the defendant, through his company, approached Riskout Consults and assured its students of visa assistance, overseas job placements, and enrollment in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Victims reportedly transferred a total of N39.1 million to Dr. Nathan. However, he allegedly failed to provide any of the promised services, became unreachable, and frustrated all efforts to recover the funds.
