A Nigerian woman has been arrested and charged with passport impersonation in a brazen attempt to enter the United States. Elizabeth Afola Oyenekan, 42, of Nigeria, was taken into custody on February 1, 2015, at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry in Buffalo, New York.
According to the complaint, Oyenekan presented a Canadian passport bearing the name Diana Adetuni to a Customs and Border Protection Officer. However, when asked about her birthplace, she initially stated Nigeria but quickly retracted and claimed to be born in Saint Vincent.
A search of Oyenekan’s luggage revealed a credit card with her name, E. O. Oyenekan, which matched a previous Visa Waiver Refusal in Ireland in October 2014. Further investigation led to the discovery that the fingerprints of the defendant did not match the name Diana Adetuni, but instead were a match for Elizabeth Afola Oyenekan.
Oyenekan is charged with the improper use of another’s passport and making false statements, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder on February 1, 2015, and is currently being held.
The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection under the direction of Randy Howe, Director of Field Operations.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance at our nation’s borders and the consequences of attempting to deceive authorities.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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