Viral • 6h ago
ICPC sacks Lagos ‘visa mill’ syndicate, secures conviction of LG official
**Breaking News: ICPC Shuts Down 'Visa Mill' Scam in Lagos, Secures Conviction of LG Official**
In a major crackdown on corruption, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dismantled a notorious 'visa mill' syndicate in Lagos State, while also securing a conviction against a local government official involved in a visa fraud scheme.
The syndicate, which was reportedly operating in the state, was exposed after a tip-off from the Italian High Commission, which raised concerns over 22 Nigerian visa applicants presenting fake documents. Investigations by the ICPC revealed that a staff member of Ikeja Local Government, Mr. Michael Kuyoro, was behind the scam.
According to the ICPC, Mr. Kuyoro abused his official position to create fake documents on Ikeja Local Government letterhead, falsely identifying the visa applicants as staff or affiliates of the local government. He allegedly received ₦50,000 from an accomplice to facilitate the scheme.
The ICPC successfully prosecuted Mr. Kuyoro, who pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy and giving false statements. In his judgment, Honourable Justice O.A. Okunuga of the Ikeja High Court sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, with an option of fine. Mr. Kuyoro was also ordered to perform three months of community service.
This landmark conviction is a significant blow to corruption in Nigeria, particularly in the context of the Local Government system, where officials often abuse their power to perpetuate scams. The ICPC's efforts to tackle corruption and bring perpetrators to justice are a beacon of hope for Nigerians who demand accountability and transparency from their leaders.
As the ICPC continues to crack down on corruption, it serves as a reminder to Nigerians that corruption will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will be held accountable.