Two Nigerian nationals, Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, have been arrested and charged in the United States for accepting bribes to manipulate and expedite immigration applications. The charges stem from a multi-year scheme involving illegal gratuities exchanged for favorable decisions on immigration cases handled by Mr. Ganiyu, a former Senior Immigration Services Officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Both men appeared in court on September 2, following their arrest on federal charges filed under a criminal complaint dated August 31. Each faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that from December 2019 through March 2026, Mr. Ganiyu abused his official position to approve immigration applications—including Forms I-130, I-485, I-751, and N-400—without following proper procedures. He allegedly bypassed mandatory interviews, supervisory reviews, jurisdictional rules, background checks, and standard USCIS processing protocols. Many applicants who received approvals were not legally eligible under federal immigration law, raising serious concerns about systemic abuse.
Investigators found that Mr. Ganiyu and Mr. Somoye collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments linked directly to specific immigration approvals. The payments were made by applicants seeking fast-track processing, often through unofficial channels. Digital evidence uncovered during the investigation includes extensive WhatsApp communications between the defendants and applicants, comprising thousands of messages and hundreds of calls over the charged period. These records suggest a coordinated effort to exploit the immigration system for personal financial gain.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould emphasized that selling immigration benefits is a severe breach of public trust. “When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately,” he stated. He added that public corruption will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas. FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock echoed this sentiment, warning that manipulating immigration decisions undermines national security and the integrity of the system. He affirmed the FBI’s commitment to holding accountable anyone who abuses their position of trust.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. law enforcement to combat corruption within federal agencies, particularly those handling sensitive immigration matters. As the legal process continues, the outcome may set a precedent for how similar cases are prosecuted in the future. This incident also underscores the global reach of U.S. anti-corruption measures, especially concerning foreign nationals serving in official capacities abroad.
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