ICPC Arraigns Agent Over Alleged UK Visa Fraud in Lagos

ICPC Arraigns Agent Over Alleged UK Visa Fraud in Lagos

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a visa agent, Adediwura Adesina Stanley, before a Lagos State High Court over alleged forgery and the use of false documents in a bid to secure a United Kingdom visa.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s spokesperson, Okor Odey, the defendant was docked on March 11, 2026, before Justice I. Ijelu in a case marked ID/27584C/2026.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Stanley conspired with two others, Olufemi Samuel Adewunmi and Oluwayemi Oyinkan, to forge financial documents intended to mislead the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI), a division of the UK Home Office.

The prosecution told the court that the documents allegedly falsified included a corporate payslip and a United Bank for Africa bank statement, which were said to have been used to facilitate the visa application.

Stanley is facing multiple charges, including conspiracy and forgery under the Criminal Code Act, as well as offences under the ICPC Act for allegedly making false statements and knowingly presenting documents containing false information to a public officer.

During the proceedings, defence counsel applied for bail on behalf of the defendant, but the prosecution team, led by Yvonne Williams-Mbata, opposed the request, arguing that the accused could abscond or interfere with witnesses if granted bail.

A procedural issue also arose when the defence indicated it had filed a reply to the prosecution’s counter-affidavit. However, the court noted that such a filing is not recognised under the applicable procedural rules in the circumstances.

Despite the objections, Justice Ijelu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

The court ruled that one of the sureties must be a blood relative resident in Lagos State, while both must provide evidence of tax payment, proof of livelihood, and verifiable residential addresses.

The sureties are also required to swear to an affidavit guaranteeing that the defendant will not leave the country during the trial.

In addition, the court ordered Stanley to deposit his international passport with the court registry and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria pending the determination of the case.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 1, 2026, for the commencement of trial.