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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a woman, Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo, before Justice Akobi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Kubwa, for allegedly forging a marriage certificate and passport stamps of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a bid to fraudulently obtain a United Kingdom (UK) visa.
According to a statement by Demola Bakare, director, Public Enlightenment and Education/Spokesperson, ICPC, Ojo’s arraignment on Tuesday, followed a four-count charge filed against her under Charge No. CR/577/25, Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo (F).
The ICPC told the court that the offences were committed around 2019 in Abuja.
The defendant was alleged to have forged a marriage certificate with registration number 024119/2017, purportedly issued by a marriage registry in Lagos, and used it as part of her supporting documents to apply for a UK visa.
Investigators further alleged that she fabricated UAE entry and exit stamps on her Nigerian international passport to create a false travel history, an act aimed at deceiving visa officials into believing she was a regular international traveller.
The Commission stated that her actions violate Sections 363 and 366 of the Penal Code and are punishable under Section 364, which deals with forgery and fraudulent use of forged documents.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo, in 2019 or thereabouts, at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently present as genuine a forged marriage certificate purportedly emanating from Ikoyi Marriage Registry, Ikoyi-Lagos, when you had reason to believe it to be a forged document, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation.”
When the charges were read, Ojo pleaded not guilty to all four counts. She was represented by her counsel, C. A. Owo Ekele.
Fatima Abdullahi, lead counsel for the ICPC, informed the court that the Commission was fully prepared to proceed with trial and requested the court to fix a date for hearing. In response, the defence counsel applied for bail on liberal terms.
After listening to both parties, Akobi granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦2 million with two sureties in like sum.
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One of the sureties must be a public servant not below Grade Level 15, while the second must be a resident of Abuja who owns landed property with a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
The sureties are also to provide copies of their passports and the C of O for verification.
The judge further ordered that Ojo be remanded in the Suleja Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of her bail conditions.
The ICPC reiterated its determination to collaborate with embassies and international partners to curb visa-related fraud and bring perpetrators to justice.
