By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Remilekun Temitope Balogun-Okedeyi for forging employment documents of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in a bid to obtain a United Kingdom visa.
The conviction followed investigations into a visa fraud scheme in which the defendant falsely presented herself as a staff member of NAFDAC, using fabricated employment and promotion letters, an identity card, and an introduction letter allegedly issued by the agency.
According to an official statement issued by the Head of Media and Public Communications of the ICPC, J. Okor Odey, the case, filed as Charge No. ID/27346C/2025 (FRN v. Remilekun Temitope Balogun-Okedeyi), stemmed from a petition by the British Deputy High Commission, which uncovered a wider visa racketeering syndicate allegedly led by Olusegun Ojo Adigun.
Further investigations revealed that the syndicate was linked to at least sixteen visa applications and specialised in facilitating travel to the United Kingdom through falsified supporting documents.
At the centre of the case was the defendant’s misrepresentation of her employment status, with investigators establishing that she was never employed by NAFDAC, making all documents attributed to the agency fraudulent and misleading.
In addition to the forged employment records, she also submitted a falsified bank statement purportedly issued by Chanelle Microfinance Bank covering January to July 2025. Investigations confirmed she had no account with the bank.
Following the conclusion of investigations, the defendant was 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 Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court, Court 13.
During proceedings, the defendant, through her counsel Grace Adenubi (Esq.), entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution, which was accepted by the ICPC. The charge was subsequently amended to a one-count information, to which she pleaded guilty.
The prosecution team, comprising Yvonne William-Mbata, Roseline Eze and Oluwayemisi Pereira, presented evidence through investigator Onyemauchechukwu Ezike, who tendered documentary exhibits before the court.
In her judgment, Justice Dada sentenced Balogun-Okedeyi 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 perform two days of community service outside the court premises and directed her to enter into a bond of good behaviour to be recorded in the Lagos State Judiciary database.
The ICPC said the conviction underscores its commitment to combating document forgery and the impersonation of government institutions for fraudulent purposes, particularly in relation to visa-related scams.
