ICPC Busts Fraudulent Visa Syndicate, Secures Conviction Of Lagos Official

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has busted and dismantled a visa fraud  syndicate in Lagos State.

It also secured the conviction of one Michael Kuyoro, an employee of the Ikeja local government area, for his involvement in a visa fraud scheme involving forgery, conspiracy and abuse of office.

The conviction was delivered on March 12, 2026, by Justice O.A. Okunuga of the Ikeja High Court (Criminal Division), Lagos.

The case originated from a petition submitted by the Italian High Commission, which raised concerns over 22 Nigerian visa applicants who presented forged letters of invitation and introduction.

The spokesperson for the ICPC, John Odey, said investigations by its operatives revealed that Kuyoro abused his official position to generate falsified documents on Ikeja Local Government letterhead.

The documents falsely identified the applicants as local government staff or affiliates.

Further findings established that Kuyoro received N50,000 from an accomplice, Samuel Orebela (currently at large), to facilitate the fraudulent scheme.

Kuyoro was initially arraigned on four counts but later entered into a plea agreement.

Consequently, the charge was amended to a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and giving false statements, contrary to Sections 25 and 26 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Following his guilty plea, the ICPC’s prosecution team, comprising Mrs Yvonne William-Mbata, Mrs Roseline N. Eze, and Mrs Oluwayemisi E. Pereira, presented the facts of the case, which led to his conviction.

In his judgment, Justice Okunuga sentenced the defendant as follows: Two years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently; an option of fine of ₦10,000 for count one and ₦100,000 for count two; three months of community service, involving six hours of daily labour under the supervision of the Nigerian Correctional Service; a ₦1 million bond to be of good behaviour, subject to forfeiture upon breach; permanent blacklisting through enrolment of his biometrics in the ICPC Criminal Offenders Database, effectively barring him from future public service.

The court, while delivering judgment, observed that existing penalties under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, are no longer commensurate with the realities of modern corruption.