The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of one Ijamulisi Ayodele James for his role in producing forged documents used in fraudulent applications for United Kingdom visas.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of one Ijamulisi Ayodele James for his role in producing forged documents used in fraudulent applications for United Kingdom visas.
The conviction, secured by the Commission’s Lagos State Office, followed credible intelligence from the British High Commission linking James to falsified invitation and introduction letters purportedly from Clarivate Analytics and Thomson Reuters, alongside a fake bank statement and payslip.
In a statement, ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said: “This conviction sends a strong message to fraudsters that the ICPC will continue to pursue cases of document forgery with vigour, especially when they undermine the integrity of international travel systems.”
Investigations revealed that the documents were prepared at the request of two individuals, Dennis Adetoye Adeniran and Awoke Nimota Omobolaji, both previously convicted in 2019 and 2025 for similar offences.
On August 7, 2025, James was arraigned before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court on a four-count amended charge of forgery under Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Under a plea bargain arrangement approved by the Commission, James pleaded guilty to all counts. Justice Oshodi convicted him and sentenced him to a fine of ₦1 million or seven days’ imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently. The total fine amounts to ₦4 million, failing which he will serve a custodial term at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Facility.
The court also ordered James’ biometric registration in the Lagos State Judiciary Offenders’ Database and directed him to file an affidavit of good behaviour at the High Court Registry.
Bakare added: “Beyond prosecution, we are committed to monitoring offenders even after conviction. If the convict violates the terms of his undertaking or new evidence of corruption surfaces, the ICPC will not hesitate to reopen the case.”
He noted that the Commission’s resolve is to “protect Nigeria’s reputation, ensure due process in international travel, and uphold the rule of law without fear or favour.”
ICPC Secures Conviction in Lagos Visa Forgery Case
