The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has secured the conviction of Remilekun Balogun-Okedeyi for forging documents of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to support a fraudulent visa application.
This was disclosed in a statement published on the Commission’s official website, detailing the outcome of the case.
The conviction followed investigations into a visa fraud scheme in which the defendant falsely presented herself as a NAFDAC employee using forged employment records.
ICPC said the defendant used forged employment and promotion letters, an identity card, and an introduction letter purportedly issued by NAFDAC to misrepresent her employment status.
According to the Commission, the case stemmed from a petition by the British Deputy High Commission, which exposed a visa racketeering syndicate allegedly led by one Olusegun Ojo Adigun.
The Commission noted that findings confirmed the defendant was never employed by NAFDAC, rendering all submitted documents false and misleading.
The case was heard before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
During proceedings, the defendant entered a plea bargain through her counsel, leading to the amendment of the charges to a one-count offence, to which she pleaded guilty.
The prosecution team presented evidence through an investigator, with documentary exhibits admitted by the court.
Justice Dada sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment, with an option of a N500,000 fine payable within seven days.
The court also ordered two days of community service and directed the defendant to enter into a bond of good behaviour to be recorded in the Lagos State Judiciary database.
Visa fraud has become a growing area of concern for both Nigerian authorities and foreign governments, with several recent cases and policy responses highlighting the scale of the issue.
