ICPC arraigns travel agent over alleged UK visa document forgery
By OLASUNKANMI IMRAN
Speaking on the development, the ICPC spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, said the commission remained committed to tackling document fraud and safeguarding the integrity of international travel processes.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned a visa agent, Adediwura Adesina Stanley, before the Lagos State High Court over alleged forgery of financial documents to facilitate a United Kingdom visa application.
Stanley was arraigned on March 11, 2026, before Justice I. Ijelu in a suit marked ID/27584C/2026, on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and the use of false documents.
According to a statement issued by the anti-graft agency on Tuesday, the defendant allegedly conspired with two others — Olufemi Samuel Adewunmi and Oluwayemi Oyinkan — to produce forged financial documents to deceive the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration, a division of the UK Home Office.
The prosecution told the court that the documents included a corporate payslip and a United Bank for Africa bank statement, allegedly prepared and submitted in support of a visa application.
The ICPC said the defendant is being prosecuted under Sections 516 and 467 of the Criminal Code Act for conspiracy and forgery, as well as Sections 17(1)(c) and 25(1)(a) of the ICPC Act 2000 for knowingly using documents containing false statements and making false declarations to a public officer.
Despite opposition from the prosecution counsel, Mrs Yvonne Williams-Mbata, who argued that the defendant posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses, the court granted Stanley bail in the sum of N10m with two sureties in like sum.
Speaking on the development, the ICPC spokesperson, J. Okor Odey, said the commission remained committed to tackling document fraud and safeguarding the integrity of international travel processes.
“The Commission will continue to investigate and prosecute individuals who attempt to use forged documents to gain unlawful advantage,” he said, noting that such offences undermine Nigeria’s credibility and violate the law.
The ICPC added that visa-related document forgery remains a major focus of its enforcement efforts, with several prosecutions recorded in recent years over falsified financial records, invitation letters, and other supporting documents used in fraudulent visa applications.
