Federal prosecutors in Texas have charged former USCIS senior officer Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and his associate Adeniyi Akeem Somoye with conspiracy after investigators uncovered an alleged long running scheme in which they accepted payments to improperly approve and fast track immigration applications.
The men were arrested on September 2,2026 after a criminal complaint was filed on August 31, 2026.
According to the complaint, Ganiyu used his official position from December 2019 through March 2026 to approve immigration forms for money. These included family petitions, green card applications, removal of conditions, and naturalization requests. Investigators say he skipped interviews, background checks, supervisory review, jurisdiction limits, and standard USCIS procedures, and that some applicants were not eligible under federal law.
Prosecutors claim the pair collected hundreds of thousands of dollars, with payments matching approvals issued by Ganiyu. Investigators also RECOVERED thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of calls between the defendants and applicants whose cases they handled.
Each man faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars if convicted.
The men were arrested on September 2,2026 after a criminal complaint was filed on August 31, 2026.
According to the complaint, Ganiyu used his official position from December 2019 through March 2026 to approve immigration forms for money. These included family petitions, green card applications, removal of conditions, and naturalization requests. Investigators say he skipped interviews, background checks, supervisory review, jurisdiction limits, and standard USCIS procedures, and that some applicants were not eligible under federal law.
Prosecutors claim the pair collected hundreds of thousands of dollars, with payments matching approvals issued by Ganiyu. Investigators also RECOVERED thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of calls between the defendants and applicants whose cases they handled.
Each man faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars if convicted.
Five years is too small
ReplyDeleteNigerian dirty habits
ReplyDeleteSo sad! Nigerians should stop all these shameful acts abeg, to be a senior uscis officer isn't a joke, They messed up big time. I hope the agency would do a thorough investigation and hold all those involved accountable as well.
ReplyDeleteFive years ke, that's too small na. Ise ile ti gbe won de'ta.
ReplyDeleteAll those back yard doors are getting shut.....
ReplyDeleteWhy would you attain a big position of power and stain your credibility because of few dollars - this is stupid and greedy. One of the things I detest as someone that works in a public organization in UK is using that position to favor anyone if is not right/legal. This includes giving our vouchers and clinical recommendations for clients. Nigerians will make you do something illegal and will be the first to oust you to the public.
ReplyDeleteThey carried their dirty behavior to a foreign country
ReplyDeleteWhy swindle people of their hard earned money? It's not fair. Good they were caught
ReplyDeleteHmmn. There was someone I know who did something similar but worked with British High Commission that year. As in he always had lots of clients in his house and his wife was like the secretary. People that had visa oversye If you apply for visa overstay where his customers.t He will be the one yo handle thier applications and approve them. This men just embarrassed Nigerians
ReplyDeleteTrump America is something else, I don't believe American government at the moment they don't want any black person in any good positions. Oyinbo are not better than us in that regards, they are even worse in corruption. It took me long time to realised this, any juicy positions must be for them.
ReplyDelete