In a significant ruling that underscores the fight against corruption, the Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted businessman Dennis Adeniran Adetoye to a one-year imprisonment term for visa fraud. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) successfully arraigned Adetoye following his arrest at the British Deputy High Commission’s office in Lagos, where he attempted to secure a UK visa using forged documents.
The investigation revealed that Adetoye had presented several falsified documents, including an invitation letter from Clarivate Analytics dated April 20, 2018, and a fraudulent bank statement from Diamond Bank Plc. He falsely claimed to be the regional business lead for Clarivate Analytics, asserting that the company would sponsor his trip to London.
On March 4, 2025, Adetoye faced Justice R.A. Oshodi at Court 48, Roseline Omotosho Court House, where he was arraigned on two counts of receipt of property obtained through acts constituting a felony. Pleading guilty to all charges, he was remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison pending sentencing.
During the proceedings on March 5, 2025, his defense counsel, J.O. Momoh, sought leniency, highlighting that Adetoye was a first-time offender who had turned his life around by starting a legitimate textile business. However, Justice Oshodi upheld the seriousness of the offenses, convicting Adetoye and sentencing him to one year imprisonment on each count, along with a fine of one million Naira.
Additionally, the court mandated him to submit an affidavit of good conduct, vowing to refrain from engaging in any future criminal or corrupt activities. His biometric details will be recorded in the offender’s database maintained by the Lagos State Judiciary.
Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and spokesperson for the ICPC, stated that this conviction reinforces the Commission’s unwavering commitment to combatting corruption and fraudulent practices, particularly in the context of visa applications.
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INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION (ICPC)
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, 7th March, 2025
Businessman Bags One-Year Jail Term Over Visa Fraud in Lagos
A Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced Dennis Adeniran Adetoye to one year imprisonment for visa fraud, following his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The defendant was arrested at the British Deputy High Commission’s office in Lagos after presenting forged documents, including an invitation letter from Clarivate Analytics dated April 20, 2018, an introduction letter from the same company dated May 16, 2018, and a falsified Diamond Bank Plc statement of account.
Investigations by the Commission revealed that Adetoye had falsely claimed to be the regional business lead for Clarivate Analytics and that the company would sponsor his trip to London, UK, in an attempt to fast-track the procurement of a UK visa.
He was subsequently arraigned before Justice R.A. Oshodi at Court 48, Roseline Omotosho Court House, Ikeja, on a two-count charge of receipt of property obtained using an act constituting a felony, knowing the same to have been so obtained.
The charges were filed under Section 13 and were punishable under Section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Upon his arraignment on March 4, 2025, Adetoye pleaded guilty to all counts. He was immediately remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, pending sentencing.
During the sentencing proceedings on March 5, 2025, the defence counsel, J.O. Momoh, pleaded for leniency, arguing that the defendant was a first-time offender who had turned a new leaf and had since ventured into a decent textile business.
Justice Oshodi, in his judgment, convicted Adetoye and sentenced him to one year imprisonment on each count in lieu of a fine of one million Naira for all counts.
The court also ordered him to undertake an affidavit of good conduct, pledging never to engage in any criminal or corrupt activities again.
Furthermore, his biometric details will be registered in the offender’s database maintained by the Lagos State Judiciary.
The conviction, in this case prosecuted by three ICPC counsels, Yvonne William Mbata, Roseline Okoro, and Oluwayemisi Pereira, reinforces the Commission’s commitment to tackling corruption and fraudulent activities in the country, especially in matters relating to the falsification of documents for visa applications.
Signed
Demola Bakare, fsi
Director, Public Enlightenment and Education/
Spokesperson for the Commission
