Two Nigerians Arrested in US Over Alleged Cash-for-Immigration Scheme

Two Nigerians, Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former senior immigration services officer with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, have been arrested in the United States over an alleged scheme to receive illegal payments in exchange for manipulating and fast-tracking immigration applications.

The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced the arrests, saying the suspects were allegedly involved in a multi-year scheme to collect illegal gratuities from immigration applicants.

A federal criminal complaint filed on August 31 charged both men with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official. Federal agents arrested them on September 2.

According to investigators, Ganiyu allegedly used his official position between December 2019 and March 2026 to approve various immigration applications in exchange for money.

The applications reportedly included petitions for family members, permanent residency, removal of conditions on residence, and applications for U.S. citizenship.

Prosecutors allege that Ganiyu bypassed mandatory immigration procedures, including interviews, supervisory reviews, jurisdictional requirements and background checks, in order to unlawfully speed up applications.

Some applicants allegedly received immigration benefits despite not being legally eligible for them.

Investigators also accused Ganiyu and Somoye of collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars from applicants. Several payments allegedly corresponded directly with immigration approvals issued by Ganiyu.

Authorities reportedly uncovered thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of phone calls involving the suspects and immigration applicants during the investigation.

FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock said the alleged actions undermined the integrity of the U.S. immigration system and promised that law enforcement would hold those who abused their positions accountable.

The two suspects appeared in court on September 2 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. If convicted, each faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by USCIS, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and the FBI Dallas Field Office.

The allegations remain accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.