A Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja has sentenced a businessman, Dennis Adeniran Adetoye, to one year in prison for visa fraud.
The conviction followed his arraignment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
Adetoye was arrested at the British Deputy High Commission’s office in Lagos after he presented 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.
According to the ICPC, investigations revealed that Adetoye falsely claimed to be the regional business lead for Clarivate Analytics and that the company would sponsor his trip to London, United Kingdom, in a bid to secure a UK visa.
He was charged with two counts of receiving property obtained using an act constituting a felony, knowing the same to have been so obtained. The charges were filed under Section 13 and punishable under Section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Adetoye pleaded guilty to all counts when he appeared before Justice R.A. Oshodi at Court 48, Roseline Omotosho Court House, Ikeja, on March 4, 2025. He was immediately remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Prison, pending sentencing.
During the sentencing on March 5, 2025, Adetoye’s lawyer, J.O. Momoh, pleaded for leniency, noting that the defendant was a first-time offender who had since moved on to a legitimate textile business.
In his judgment, Justice Oshodi sentenced Adetoye to one year imprisonment on each count. However, the court gave him the option of a fine of one million Naira for all counts combined.
Additionally, the court ordered Adetoye to swear an affidavit of good conduct, promising never to engage in any criminal or corrupt activities again. His biometric details will also be added to the offender’s database maintained by the Lagos State Judiciary.
The case, prosecuted by ICPC counsels Yvonne William Mbata, Roseline Okoro, and Oluwayemisi Pereira, highlights the Commission’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and fraud, especially in cases involving document falsification for visa applications.
