The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a woman, Remilekun Balogun-Okedeyi, to one year imprisonment for engaging in visa racketeering and impersonation.
Trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, delivered the judgment on Tuesday after the defendant pleaded guilty to an amended charge brought against her by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The court, however, gave the convict an option of a ₦500,000 fine.
Balogun-Okedeyi was arraigned on a charge marked ID/27346C/2025, bordering on visa fraud and falsely presenting herself as an official of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.
During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Yvonne William-Mbata, alongside R.N. Eze and O.E. Pereira, informed the court that it had filed an amended charge and was ready to proceed with the case.
Following the reading of the charge, the defendant admitted guilt.
To establish the case, the prosecution called a witness, Mr Onyema, who told the court that the investigation was triggered by a petition from the British Deputy High Commission.
He stated that findings revealed the convict was involved in a visa racketeering syndicate and had fraudulently posed as a staff member of NAFDAC to facilitate illegal visa processing.
According to him, the false representation was used to deceive officials of the British mission.
The defendant was represented by counsel from the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mrs Grace Adenubi.
In her ruling, Justice Dada held that the guilty plea, coupled with the unchallenged evidence presented by the prosecution, sufficiently proved the charge against the defendant.
The court consequently convicted Balogun-Okedeyi and sentenced her to one year imprisonment, with an option of a ₦500,000 fine.
The judge further directed that the convict undertake community service within the court premises and sign a bond to maintain good behaviour.