His quest to relocate abroad and drop the shackles of poverty pushed him to the extreme of desperation. Rasheed Adekola was arrested on Tuesday at the Canadian embassy for submitting 17 fake documents in order to obtain a student visa to Canada, TOYOSI OGUNSEYE reports.





ONE, two, three, four, five…, 17! That was the number of forged documents submitted by Rasheed Adekola at the Canadian Embassy in Lagos in order to obtain a student visa.


That was not his first time. Adekola started applying for the visa in 2009 and had applied four times. Each time he submitted his application materials and was denied, he always returned with more documents to convince the officials at the visa section that he was worthy of it.


It wasn’t as if the officials at the embassy were ignorant of Adekola’s antics from the beginning. In fact, they knew the documents he submitted during his first application were not genuine but they decided to ignore him hoping that he would stop.


A source at the embassy who did not want his name mentioned said that when the embassy gets fake documents, they deny the applicant visa hoping that the person will not bother applying again. “It usually works because they spend a lot of money obtaining the documents and they are usually not eager to spend that amount of money when we turn down their request,” he said.


Adekola was however different. He refused to give up and his application soon became a regular one at the embassy. After he applied the fourth time, officials at the embassy decided that they had had enough of him.


What piqued them the most was that Adekola submitted a certificate of scholarship from the Kano State government. The purported certificate from the Kano government read that Adekola had been given scholarship worth over $80,000 to study business administration at the Acadia University, Canada.


So, they invited him for an interview. When Adekola got the letter of interview from the embassy, he was very excited; that was the first time he was getting a ‘positive’ response from the embassy.


He couldn’t wait to visit the embassy on the appointment day which was last Tuesday. He appeared in his best attire and answered all the questions he was asked with confidence.


The interview however turned sour after the interviewer accused 28-year-old Adekola of submitting fake documents. Initially, he denied the allegation vehemently; unknown to him that the embassy had alerted the police to arrest him.


While he was still denying the allegation, a policeman from the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton, Ikoyi, Lagos, stepped into the interviewing room and arrested Adekola.


The 17 documents submitted by the suspect included a diploma certificate from the National Centre for Economic Management and Administration, a certificate of achievement from KarRox for successfully completing Oracle 10g, a first school leaving certificate from the Lagos State government, a school leaving certificate and testimonial from Abibat Mogaji Millennium Senior Secondary School.


Other data submitted by him were a birth certificate from Mushin local government, notification of result from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, a scholarship certificate from the Kano State government, a desktop publishing certificate from Omega computer village and identity cards from Federal polytechnic, Ilaro and NCEMA.


Adekola however told SUNDAY PUNCH that not all the documents were forged. According to him, it was one Ibrahim Ogundele that offered to obtain the documents for him at no cost until he received the visa.


He said, “I finished secondary school in 2004 and I have been trying to gain admission into the university since then. In 2006, the Lagos State University offered me admission to study business administration but I did not have money to pay my school fees so I let it go.”


Adekola, who lives with his elder brother and does menial jobs said that Ogundele, offered to assist him to seek for greener pastures outside the country. He said, “Ogundele is like a big brother in our neighbourhood at Shasha. He told me that he has been assisting people to get visas and I decided to try my luck too. Even though he said that he would do it for free, I used to give him money occasionally. From 2009 to date, I have given him N55, 000.”


Adekola further said that he did not know that Ogundele gave him forged papers, “That was why I had the confidence to go to the embassy for the interview. If I knew that they were not genuine, I would not have appeared. When Ogundele said that he was going to help me, I did not know that he would offer me forged documents.”


The suspect stated that only his secondary school and computer skills certificates were genuine. He said, “Ogundele said I should give him all the documents I have because he would need them to procure other documents. I even told him that I was going to the West African Examinations Council to collect my original certificate but he offered to go for me. Unknown to me, what he got for me was not genuine.”


Other documents Ogundele allegedly gave Adekola were a Will that was purportedly written by Adekola’s late father giving the suspect two choice properties in Lagos, a Toyota jeep and Harvestfield Industries Ltd; forged shares certificates from Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Oando Plc; forged Lagos state certificates of occupancy, among others.


Adekola, however, told our correspondent that his late father did not bequeath him with any of such properties and that everything was a figment of Ogundele’s imagination.


Adekola will soon be charged to court and made to face the consequences of his actions alone as Ogundele relocated to the United Kingdom last September.


Adekola and some of the fake documents


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201101160285962

This is a terrible story. However what would arresting him achieve? I do not believe that will be a deterrent. The Govt should rather try and fix the rot in our infrastructures and employment. That will be a better deterrent

the canadiam embassy officials should have informed him of his forgery after his initial application rather than letting him lodge subsequent applications which in my opinion is a ploy by these embassies to boost revenue
what is arresting him going to really achieve this man was genuinely ignorant

joxiri:

the canadiam embassy officials should have informed him of his forgery after his initial application rather than letting him lodge subsequent applications which in my opinion is a ploy by these embassies to boost revenue what is arresting him going to really achieve this man was genuinely ignorant

They don't have to inform him, why are u not blaming his fellow Nigerian who gave him all that fake documents?

I read the news on Punch today. Poor guy, The Canadian embassy really should have informed him earlier. Maybe, the embassy is really in desperate need of cash,

Justwise there would always be fraudulent individuals in every society that will rake advantage of ignorant people
why did the embassy choose the 4th time not the 1st, 2nd or 5th or 6th time to inform him
its either zero tolerance on fraud or nothing at all by not informing him at the 1st instance they part encouraged him because he was obviously oblivious and didnt think he was doing anything wrong

joxiri:


Justwise there would always be fraudulent individuals in every society that will rake advantage of ignorant people
why did the embassy choose the 4th time not the 1st, 2nd or 5th or 6th time to inform him
its either zero tolerance on fraud or nothing at all by not informing him at the 1st instance they part encouraged him because he was obviously oblivious and didnt think he was doing anything wrong

Are you trying to suggest that he was refused visa 3times without been given any reason? How do they encourage him?

well from the article it does not seem like he was informed he was using fraudulent documents rather he was ignored maybe this is not entirely true but if it is then its just wrong on the embassy's part, if they choose not to inform applicants about using fraudulent documents then they might as well not call police as well then

justwise:

Are you trying to suggest that he was refused visa 3times without been given any reason? How do they encourage him?

I dont blame him thou because the high commission may not give detailed information about his refusal unless he requested for his application to be review by his immigration consultant.

mohumyta:

I dont blame him thou because the high commission may not give detailed information about his refusal unless he requested for his application to be review by his immigration consultant.

So when he submitted that application he doesn't know that his documents were fake? He need to embassy to tell him that? Really?

joxiri:


well from the article it does not seem like he was informed he was using fraudulent documents rather he was ignored maybe this is not entirely true but if it is then its just wrong on the embassy's part, if they choose not to inform applicants about using fraudulent documents then they might as well not call police as well then

Many embassies don't tell you, they fustrate u by keep refusing u untill u stop trying to be smart. Uk will ban u for 10yrs without telling u.

But come-on! You don't need to be told that u submitted fake documents, after submitting 17!!!!!!?

justwise:

So when he submitted that application he doesn't know that his documents were fake? He need to embassy to tell him that? Really?

Read this piece from the article When Ogundele said that he was going to help me, I did not know that he would offer me forged documents It can happen to anybody most Nigerians have fallen into these circumstances by people parading themselves as experts in visa processing

joxiri:

the canadiam embassy officials should have informed him of his forgery after his initial application rather than letting him lodge subsequent applications which in my opinion is a ploy by these embassies to boost revenue
what is arresting him going to really achieve this man was genuinely ignorant

dude are you serious? its attitudes like this that encourage people like the guy in the article. So you go to rob a bank and you expect the police to inform you that they are on the way to arrest you abi

yes justwise
common he needs the embassy to inform him
 even on this site people commend your efforts on how your fish out fraudulent people, which in some part is providing information to ignorant people, hence why the embassy needs to inform  
 it should be thier moral obligation
well I guess they dont have any industry standards  or regulators so they are getting away with it so far

mohumyta:

Read this piece from the article When Ogundele said that he was going to help me, I did not know that he would offer me forged documents It can happen to anybody most Nigerians have fallen into these circumstances by people parading themselves as experts in visa processing

Are u kidding me? How many times do they refuse him a visa? So when he was refused the 1st time he did not ask Ogundele why? Then the second and 3rd time? Is this a joke?

mohumyta:

Read this piece from the article When Ogundele said that he was going to help me, I did not know that he would offer me forged documents It can happen to anybody most Nigerians have fallen into these circumstances by people parading themselves as experts in visa processing

lol are you kidding me? he knows he didn't accomplish any of the things on the documents so why do you think he is entitled to any explanation?

omega25red:

lol are you kidding me? he knows he didn't accomplish any of the things on the documents so why do you think he is entitled to any explanation?

He guy is damn guilty even submitted fake scholarship worth over $80,000 to study business administration at the Acadia University, Canada.

joxiri:

yes justwise
common he needs the embassy to inform him
even on this site people commend your efforts on how your fish out fraudulent people, which in some part is providing information to ignorant people, hence why the embassy needs to inform
it should be thier moral obligation
well I guess they dont have any industry standards or regulators so they are getting away with it so far

Do you really believe that the Canadian embassy did not give him reason(s) why they refused him visa in those 3 occasions?

More people are not aware of the implication of submitting fake documents. I remember the first time I ever applied for a visa, it's the guy at the VISA office that gave me documents, and advised it's going to sail through, These was years ago, I didn't even bother any more, but my point is, these EMBASSIES need to do more publicity to help improve people's knowledge abt the effects of submitting documents that are forged.

But I doubt they will, as they continue to rake in money on this basis.

One will continue to appreciate Nairaland for the quality contents that's helped improved one's perspective to these matters.

damola1:

More people are not aware of the implication of submitting fake documents. I remember the first time I ever applied for a visa, it's the guy at the VISA office that gave me documents, and advised it's going to sail through, These was years ago, I didn't even bother any more, but my point is, these EMBASSIES need to do more publicity to help improve people's knowledge abt the effects of submitting documents that are forged.
But I doubt they will, as they continue to rake in money on this basis.
One will continue to appreciate Nairaland for the quality contents that's helped improved one's perspective to these matters.

Embassies do warn applicants about the implication of submitting fake documents but Nigerians will always want to use short cut, we believe so much in prayers that God will blind the eyes of a white man.

lol
Justwise I disagree i think the embassies should be doing more there should be a policy in place as at present it tends to differ with every case
for instance in the Uk embassy, applicants are not even informed about their ban until in some cases when they make another application

justwise:

Embassies do warn applicants about the implication of submitting fake documents but Nigerians will always want to use short cut, we believe so much in prayers that God will blind the eyes of a white man.

Am yet to see any embassy application centre that puts a small signage outside stating: DO NOT SUBMIT FORGED DOCUMENTS. YOU WILL GET BANNED FROM APPLYING.

Like I stated, when I applied, I had real reason to, but the dude at the desk where i was applying, who happens to be the VISA rep. to me, just told me, don't do it like this, it won 't work, do it like this, take this documents, put it, it'll work, blah blah blah,

Once more, Thank God for nairaland and members like yourselves that's made it more clear. it's pretty pretty easy for any Nigerian to believe, VISA process is done by somebody somewhere called ' uncle london ' , very easy, cos there's very little information to help out.

damola1:

Am yet to see any embassy application centre that puts a small signage outside stating: DO NOT SUBMIT FORGED DOCUMENTS. YOU WILL GET BANNED FROM APPLYING.

Like I stated, when I applied, I had real reason to, but the dude at the desk where i was applying, who happens to be the VISA rep. to me, just told me, don't do it like this, it won 't work, do it like this, take this documents, put it, it'll work, blah blah blah,
Once more, Thank God for nairaland and members like yourselves that's made it more clear. it's pretty pretty easy for any Nigerian to believe, VISA process is done by somebody somewhere called ' uncle london ' , very easy, cos there's very little information to help out.

Now that is funny

joxiri:

lol
Justwise I disagree i think the embassies should be doing more there should be a policy in place as at present it tends to differ with every case
for instance in the Uk embassy, applicants are not even informed about their ban until in some cases when they make another application

Like i said b4, Nigerians will always try no matter the amount of warning.

joxiri:

  the canadiam embassy officials should have informed him of his forgery after his initial application rather than letting him lodge subsequent applications which in my opinion is a ploy by these embassies to boost revenue
  what is arresting him going to really achieve this man was genuinely ignorant

If they truly wanted to boost revenue, then they were going to let him keep lodging a new application indefinetely.

I doubt that rich countries rely on funds generated from visas applications.

TheCongo

TheCongo:

If they truly wanted to boost revenue, then they were going to let him keep lodging a new application indefinetely.

I doubt that rich countries rely on funds generated from visas applications.

TheCongo

Little drops of water makes a large ocean. That's a pretty naive statement. Do you know how much the UK generates yearly from Nigeria alone on visa application.

damola1:

Little drops of water makes a large ocean. That's a pretty naive statement. Do you know how much the UK generates yearly from Nigeria alone on visa application.

Little drops of water makes a large ocean, but one drop of water is insignificant in an ocean.

like i told previous poster, if the Canadians wanted to boost revenue, then they were going to let the guy keep lodging a new application indefinitely.
The Canadians have much more adequate means of generating revenues than relying on visa fees.

Do you know how much the UK is spending on refugees?
The UK may generate money from visa application but that amount is a far cry comparing to how much they spend on foreigners. They don't need to rely on visas applications fees.



TheCongo

am scared

Of course he knew the documents were forged. How come he didn't know the will was a forged document or was he not aware that his father didn't leave him such properties? He didn't attend Federal Poly, yet he had their Identity cards and statement of results which he didn't work for, yet he didn't know they were forged. Let him pay for his own actions. Would he put his hand into fire if he was asked to? Not every issue will be the government's fault, this guy was lucky to get away thrice but he was defiant till he got caught. Wish him luck anyway.

.

There is absolutely no justification for his action in any plane.
Of course he knows he didn't get any scholarships and kept submitting fake documents.
The dude is just plain stupid and really i don't think his stupidity is anyone's fault.
It is looking for and giving excuses for acts like these that encourage more folks into it.
It is unfortunate the nation has become so bad that people want to escape at all costs,but that in itself is not an excuse for criminality.Ultimately everyone is responsible for their choices.

It's Nigerians like these that screw up the system but turn around and blame everyone else but themselves.