COURT JAILS WOMAN FOR VISA RACKETEERING IN LAGOS, IMPOSES N500,000 FINE
The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Remilekun Temitope Balogun-Okedeyi for her involvement in a visa racketeering scheme.
Trial judge, Mojisola Dada, handed down the judgment following the defendant’s guilty plea to an amended charge filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in Charge No. ID/27346C/2025.
At the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Yvonne William-Mbata, informed the court of the amended charge, which was subsequently read to the defendant. Balogun-Okedeyi, who appeared visibly emotional, pleaded guilty.
During the trial, the prosecution presented a witness, Mr. Onyema, who testified that the case originated from a petition by the British Deputy High Commission.
He told the court that investigations revealed the defendant was a beneficiary of a visa racketeering syndicate and had falsely presented herself as a staff member of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control to the British mission.
The defendant was represented by Mrs. Grace Adenubi of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
In her ruling, Justice Dada held that the defendant’s guilty plea, alongside the unchallenged evidence before the court, sufficiently established her culpability.
The court consequently found her guilty as charged and sentenced her to one year imprisonment, with an option of a ₦500,000 fine.
In addition, the court ordered her to undertake community service within the court premises and directed that she enter into a bond to maintain good behaviour.
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