Immigration officer accuses Osun CID officers of stalling criminal case

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old woman for allegedly defrauding 93 prospective travellers of N42.3 million in a visa scam, while a Senior Immigration Officer, Dr Badiru Adeyemi Oluwafemi, has accused officers of the Osun State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of frustrating the investigation and prosecution of a separate criminal case.

In a petition to the Nigeria Police Force, Oluwafemi alleged that two SCID officers, ASP Luro and Officer Anthony, deliberately delayed the prosecution of three suspects despite what he described as overwhelming evidence against them.

He claimed the officers refused to arraign the suspects after concluding investigations, thereby denying him justice.

According to Oluwafemi, the case was initially reported at the Osogbo Area Command, where he alleged the investigation became “hostile and compromised,” prompting its transfer to the SCID for an impartial probe.

The case was later assigned to Officer Anthony under the supervision of ASP Luro.

Oluwafemi alleged that the officers subsequently collaborated with members of the initial investigation team to frustrate the case.

He accused Tunde Opadijo, Peter Oluwatobiloba Opadijo and one Afolabi of criminal defamation, injurious falsehood, assault, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, unlawful entry, threats to life, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

He maintained that despite presenting evidence against the suspects, the police declined to prosecute them.

“I have proved my case against the defendants and requested that it be charged to court so they can defend themselves, but Officer Anthony and ASP Luro blatantly refused to do so,” he said.

The immigration officer also alleged that the police failed to arrest and investigate Afolabi, whom he claimed was identified by one of the suspects as the person who made false allegations against him.

Rejecting suggestions that the matter was a landlord-tenant dispute, Oluwafemi insisted that the allegations were purely criminal.

He further alleged that the suspects admitted entering his apartment without his consent to conduct church services, thereby exposing him and his children to danger.

He urged the police authorities to direct the Human Rights Unit of the Osun State CID to take over the matter and ensure the suspects were charged to court.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said he would respond, but as of press time, no response had been received.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command said it had arrested Adejoke Ayomide of Adesoye Street, Abeokuta, Ogun State, over an alleged visa scam involving 93 victims.

The suspect was arrested on Wednesday following a petition filed by Akindayomi Oluwa Tobi & Associates on behalf of the victims.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade Jimoh, said preliminary investigations revealed that Ayomide allegedly posed as a travel consultant capable of securing visas to Spain, Portugal and France.

According to him, between October 2024 and April 2026, she allegedly collected N42,326,000 through her OPay account from intending travellers for visa processing.

“The suspect is in police custody and has made useful confessional statements. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the alleged fraud, identify possible accomplices and ascertain whether there are more victims,” Jimoh said.

He added that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, urged Nigerians to verify the credentials of travel agents before making payments.

He also advised prospective travellers to exercise caution when engaging visa and travel consultants and to report suspicious activities to the police.