A former senior USCIS officer allegedly turned his government position into a lucrative side business, taking nearly $1 million in bribes to help immigration applicants obtain benefits they may not have otherwise qualified for.
Federal prosecutors have charged Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and his alleged associate, Adeniyi Akeem Somoye, in connection with what authorities describe as a years-long corruption scheme. Ganiyu is accused of using his authority at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to manipulate or bypass the normal immigration process in exchange for payments.
According to prosecutors, the scheme operated from December 2019 through March 2026, with Ganiyu allegedly intervening in applicants’ cases and providing expedited or otherwise improper assistance. Many of the applications involved individuals from African countries.
The alleged misconduct included skipping mandatory interviews, avoiding supervisory review and disregarding other safeguards built into the immigration adjudication process, according to investigators.
Communications obtained during the investigation reportedly included WhatsApp exchanges between Ganiyu, Somoye and several immigration applicants whose cases were being handled.
The financial activity allegedly linked to the scheme was substantial. Prosecutors say Ganiyu received approximately $671,438 through Zelle and Cash App, in addition to another $287,830 deposited in cash in transactions allegedly designed to obscure where the money came from.
Somoye allegedly moved about $1.7 million through various transfers, with investigators identifying some of the funds as payments connected to immigration applicants. Prosecutors say he retained a portion of the money for himself.
The sums allegedly flowing through the scheme dwarfed the defendants’ reported legitimate earnings. Ganiyu’s annual USCIS salary was approximately $67,732, while Somoye reported only $7,506 in yearly wages.
Ganiyu remained employed by USCIS while the investigation was underway and ultimately left the agency in March. He reportedly cited “personal reasons” for his resignation.
The defendants were arrested on September 2 and charged with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official. If convicted, each could face up to five years behind bars.
“Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust,” United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould said. “When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately. Public corruption will never be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.”
“The alleged manipulation of immigration decisions for personal gain undermines the integrity of a process essential to our national security,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses their position of trust.”
