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.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel ______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.” Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

________________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________ LAWBREED NEW WIG SPECIAL OFFER — Give a newly called lawyer a lasting professional gift. Get up to 20% off selected LAWBREED Supreme Court Reports, plus access to My S.C Extra, featuring Supreme Court judgments from 1972 to date. Call/WhatsApp: 08077011741 | 08077011755 | 08077011730 | 08023269613 Email: orders@lawbreed.com | mails@lawbreed.com LAWBREED — Equipping You For Greater Success! _______________________________________________________________________