Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former senior U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services official, and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye have been charged in an alleged scheme involving nearly $960,000 in illegal payments. Prosecutors say the pair manipulated and expedited immigration benefit applications, including citizenship cases, between December 2019 and March 2026. The defendants were arrested Wednesday and face federal charges alleging conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official.
Investigators say applicants used bank transfers, Zelle, Cash App and cash deposits to pay for favorable treatment. Prosecutors allege that standard safeguards, including criminal background checks, interviews and other reviews, were bypassed in multiple cases.
| 1) | Charges follow an alleged multi-year immigration benefits scheme |
| 2) | Prosecutors describe methods used to bypass USCIS safeguards |
| 3) | Financial records allegedly trace payments and transfers |
| 4) | Applications were allegedly redirected for personal approval |
| 5) | Defendants face federal penalties if convicted |
Charges follow an alleged multi-year immigration benefits scheme
The defendants were arrested Wednesday after federal investigators examined their alleged roles in accepting payments from immigration applicants. The case was brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas and concerns conduct prosecutors say occurred over more than six years. Ganiyu allegedly used his position within USCIS to influence the handling of applications, while Somoye allegedly acted as a financial intermediary.
The allegations include favors involving immigration benefit applications and citizenship cases. Prosecutors say the arrangement allowed applicants to receive expedited treatment in exchange for money, rather than having their cases processed under ordinary procedures.
Prosecutors describe methods used to bypass USCIS safeguards
According to the complaint, applicants who paid bribes were directed to Ganiyu, who allegedly altered the USCIS system to accelerate their cases. The alleged conduct included skipping criminal background checks, interviews, standard processing protocols and other reviews that normally apply to immigration applications.
Investigators identified thousands of WhatsApp messages and hundreds of calls involving the defendants and applicants. Prosecutors say most of the citizenship applications linked to the alleged scheme involved applicants from African countries. The communications are expected to form part of the government’s evidence concerning who requested assistance, what payments were made and how cases were handled.
Financial records allegedly trace payments and transfers
Court documents allege that Ganiyu received approximately $671,438 from citizenship applicants through Zelle and Cash App. Prosecutors also say he made about $287,830 in cash deposits intended to conceal the source of the money, bringing the alleged payments associated with him to nearly $960,000.
Somoye allegedly processed about $1.7 million in transfers involving applicants through bank accounts, Zelle and Cash App, while retaining part of the proceeds. The complaint also identifies approximately $449,010 in cash deposits by Somoye. Prosecutors allege the defendants exchanged money with applicants and with each other as the arrangement operated.
Applications were allegedly redirected for personal approval
Prosecutors allege that Ganiyu rerouted applications from USCIS field offices in Minneapolis, Charlotte and Houston. By bypassing local supervisors, he allegedly positioned himself to approve applications directly and avoid ordinary layers of review.
The complaint further alleges that Ganiyu fast-tracked Somoye’s citizenship application before approving residency applications for Somoye’s wife and child. Ganiyu resigned from USCIS in March, citing personal reasons, several months before the arrests. The alleged use of agency systems and the rerouting of cases are central to the government’s claims about how the scheme operated.
Defendants face federal penalties if convicted
Each defendant is charged with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official. If convicted, each could receive a sentence of up to five years in federal prison and a fine of as much as $250,000. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
“Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust. When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately,” U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said in a statement.
| 1 | Two defendants were arrested and charged in the alleged scheme. |
| 2 | The alleged conduct occurred from December 2019 through March 2026. |
| 3 | Prosecutors cite nearly $960,000 in payments linked to Ganiyu. |
| 4 | Cases were allegedly expedited by bypassing required immigration reviews. |
Summary
Federal prosecutors allege that a former USCIS official and an accomplice accepted payments to manipulate immigration applications and avoid required screening procedures. The investigation includes electronic communications, financial transfers and alleged case rerouting across three USCIS field offices. The defendants face potential prison terms and fines, but the allegations have not been proven in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged?
Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former senior USCIS official, and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, identified by prosecutors as an alleged financial intermediary, were charged.
What are the defendants accused of doing?
They are accused of conspiring to receive illegal gratuities by manipulating and expediting immigration benefit applications in exchange for payments.
What penalties could they face?
Each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.
