ICPC dismantles Lagos ‘visa mill’ syndicate, secures conviction of govt official

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has dismantled a Visa mill Syndicate in Lagos State, just as it secured the conviction of one Michael Kuyoro, a staff member of Ikeja Local Government, for his involvement in a visa fraud scheme involving forgery, conspiracy, and abuse of office.

The conviction was delivered on March 12, 2026, by Honourable 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.

Investigations by the ICPC revealed that the Ikeja Local Government official, Mr. Kuyoro abused his official position to generate falsified documents on Ikeja Local Government letterhead.

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

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

Kuyoro was initially arraigned on a four-count charge but later entered into a plea bargain 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 plea of “guilty,” 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 N10,000 for Count One and N100,000 for Count Two;

Three months of community service, involving six hours of daily labour under the supervision of the Nigerian Correctional Service; A N1 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.

Justice Okunuga described the sanctions as “outdated and insufficient,” noting that the prescribed fines do not adequately reflect the gravity of such offences.

The Court consequently called for an urgent legislative review of the law to strengthen its deterrent effect.