ICPC secures conviction over forged NAFDAC documents in visa fraud case

By Johnson Arua

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Remilekun Temitope Balogun-Okedeyi for forging documents of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to facilitate a fraudulent United Kingdom visa application.

In a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Communications, Okor Odey, the conviction followed investigations into a visa fraud scheme in which the defendant falsely claimed to be a NAFDAC employee.

She reportedly used forged employment and promotion letters, an identity card, and an introduction letter purportedly issued by the agency.

The case, filed under Charge No. ID/27346C/2025 (FRN v. Remilekun Temitope Balogun-Okedeyi), stemmed from a petition by the British Deputy High Commission, which uncovered a visa racketeering syndicate allegedly led by Olusegun Ojo Adigun.

Further investigations revealed that the syndicate was linked to at least 16 visa applications and specialised in facilitating travel to the United Kingdom using falsified documents. At the centre of the case was the defendant’s misrepresentation of her employment status, as findings confirmed she had never worked with NAFDAC.

The ICPC also established that Balogun-Okedeyi submitted a falsified bank statement purportedly issued by Chanelle Microfinance Bank for the period between January and July 2025, despite not operating an account with the institution.

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

The matter was heard before 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 Commission.

The charges were subsequently reduced to a one-count information, to which she pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors Yvonne William-Mbata, Roseline Eze, and Oluwayemisi Pereira presented evidence through an investigator, Onyemauchechukwu Ezike, who tendered documentary exhibits before the court.

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

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

The ICPC said the conviction underscores its determination to combat the falsification of official documents and the impersonation of government institutions for fraudulent purposes.