Nigerian Court Sentences American Businessman Marco Ramirez to 68 Years for N2.6 Billion Visa Fraud
On Tuesday, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, convicted American businessman Marco Antonio Ramirez for a $1.2 million (about N2.6 billion) EB-5 visa scam. Ramirez, along with his companies—USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP—was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the fraudulent scheme.
The defendant received large sums from victims as processing fees for their investments in his company, promising that these investments would qualify them for the U.S. Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) Investor Program, which grants eligibility for U.S. Green Cards. However, Ramirez failed to deliver on his promises, leading to his prosecution. Additionally, he was convicted for a separate fraud involving $368,698.24.
Initially arraigned on 12 counts, Ramirez pleaded “not guilty.” He was later re-arraigned on June 24, 2022, on an amended 16-count charge. Among the counts, Ramirez was accused of converting large sums to his personal use, including $545,000 from one victim, Godson Onyemaechi Echegile, and $314,800 from another, Abubakar Umar Sadiq.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by counsel M.S. Owede, presented documentary evidence and witnesses to support the charges. Ramirez, who secured the services of senior advocate Lawal Pedro, SAN, faced several adjournments in the trial process, particularly at the stage of adopting final written addresses, which finally occurred on May 8, 2024.
At the resumed hearing on September 10, 2024, Justice Dada ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Ramirez was found guilty of the charges and sentenced to 10 years each on counts one to 12 for obtaining by false pretence, and 10 years each on counts 13 to 16 for stealing.
In a separate case involving a $368,698.24 fraud, Ramirez was also convicted on an amended nine-count charge. One count detailed how Ramirez obtained $250,000 from Gabriel Ogie Edeoghon under the false representation that it was an investment in his company, qualifying him for a U.S. Green Card through the EB-5 program. Another count highlighted a fraudulent scheme in which Ramirez collected $50,281.33 from Oludare Talabi for a U.S. L1 visa, which he never delivered.
Despite pleading “not guilty” to these charges, the prosecution, represented by S.O. Daji, presented overwhelming evidence, including witnesses and documents. After multiple delays, Justice Dada delivered the judgment, sentencing Ramirez to eight years each on counts one to six and 10 years each on counts seven and eight. The court’s ruling brought an end to the long legal battle.
