Nigerian court sentences US businessman to 74 years in prison for fraud

The Lagos State Special Court has sentenced American businessman Marco Ramirez to 74 years in prison for fraud worth $1.6 million.

Ramirez was convicted on Tuesday on charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had summoned the convict on a 12-count charge sheet but later arraigned him again on June 24, 2022, on a 16-count charge sheet under the Presiding Judge, Mojisola Dada.

Ramirez, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, was prosecuted along with his companies, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP and USA NOW LLC, for $1,235,000 in EB-5 visa fraud.

He was accused of obtaining his victims’ money as processing fees for their investments in his company, which made them eligible for a Green Card to the United States.

In addition, he was indicted on nine other charges, namely fraud amounting to $368,698.24.

Judge Mojisola Dada sentenced Ramirez to various prison terms for the various charges, saying the prosecution had been able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

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