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Former USCIS official and associate charged in alleged citizenship bribery conspiracy

Federal authorities charged a former immigration official and his associate over an alleged $960,000 bribery scheme, Fox News reports.

The short version

  • Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former senior USCIS official, and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye were charged in an alleged multi-year bribery scheme.[Fox News]
  • Prosecutors allege the defendants accepted nearly $960,000 between 2019 and 2026 to expedite citizenship applications and bypass background checks.[Fox News]
  • Ganiyu resigned from USCIS in March citing personal reasons prior to his arrest.[Fox News]

Key facts

  • Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye were charged in connection with an alleged $960,000 bribery scheme involving citizenship applications.[Fox News]
  • Prosecutors allege the scheme operated from December 2019 to March 2026, bypassing required background checks and interviews.[Fox News]
  • Ganiyu allegedly received approximately $671,438 through digital payment applications alongside $287,830 in cash deposits.[Fox News]
  • Ganiyu resigned from his position at USCIS in March citing personal reasons.[Fox News]

What remains uncertain

  • The charges against both defendants are allegations awaiting adjudication in federal court.[Fox News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.