“Visa Fraud Conviction” — Court Jails Woman For Forging NAFDAC Employment to Secure UK Visa, Imposes Fine, Community Service

The Ikeja Special Offences Court has convicted and sentenced one Remilekun Temitope Balogun-Okedeyi for forging documents of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to fraudulently obtain a United Kingdom visa.

The conviction followed prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which uncovered a visa fraud scheme involving the falsification of official documents.

The case, filed under Charge No. ID/27346C/2025 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Balogun-Okedeyi, stemmed from a petition by the British Deputy High Commission exposing a visa racketeering syndicate allegedly led by one Olusegun Ojo Adigun.

Investigations revealed that the syndicate facilitated travel to the United Kingdom using forged supporting documents and was linked to at least 16 visa applications.

At the centre of the case was the defendant’s false claim of employment with NAFDAC. She presented forged documents, including employment and promotion letters, an identity card, and an introduction letter purportedly issued by the agency.

ICPC investigations established that Balogun-Okedeyi was never employed by NAFDAC, rendering all the submitted documents false.

Further findings showed that the defendant also submitted a falsified bank statement allegedly issued by Chanelle Microfinance Bank for the period between January and July 2025. The bank, however, confirmed that she did not operate any account with it.

The defendant was initially arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on forgery and provision of false information, contrary to Sections 13 and 17 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The matter was heard before Hon. Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.

During proceedings, the defendant, through her counsel, Grace Adenubi, entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.

Consequently, the charge was amended to a one-count information, to which she pleaded guilty.

The prosecution team, led by Yvonne William-Mbata, alongside Roseline Eze and Oluwayemisi Pereira, called an investigator, Onyemauchechukwu Ezike, who tendered documentary evidence before the court.

In her judgment, Justice Dada sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment, with an option of a fine of ₦500,000 payable to the Federal Government within seven days.

The court also ordered her to perform two days of community service outside the court premises and to enter into a bond of good behaviour to be recorded in the Lagos State Judiciary database.

The conviction underscores the ICPC’s continued crackdown on visa fraud and the falsification of official documents, particularly the impersonation of government institutions such as NAFDAC for fraudulent purposes.

Authorities say the case serves as a warning against the growing trend of document forgery in international travel applications.