US Government Seeks to Revoke Citizenship of Three Nigerians Over Alleged Fraud

In a significant move, the United States government has initiated legal proceedings to strip the American citizenship of 25 individuals, including three Nigerians, who allegedly obtained their citizenship through fraudulent means. The accused Nigerians, Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan, 56, Yetunde Folake Okaniyi, 56, and Vivian Chike Obichere, 72, are said to have engaged in sham marriages, concealed their identities, or made wilful misrepresentations during their naturalization processes. According to a statement released by the United States Department of Justice on August 3, 2026, the complaints were filed between July 20 and August 3, 2026, in various district courts across the country. The statement highlighted that the denaturalization actions were taken in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows for the revocation of citizenship if it was obtained through fraud or concealment of material facts. The Justice Department has filed a total of 123 civil denaturalization complaints since January 20, 2025, marking a record in the department's history. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized that U.S. citizenship is a privilege that must be obtained lawfully and honestly. 'The complaints announced today allege that these individuals secured naturalization through fraud, concealment, or other unlawful conduct — including by concealing violent crimes, sexual offenses against children, fraudulent identities, and other disqualifying facts,' he said. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division noted that the move represents the largest coordinated denaturalization effort in the department's history. The cases against the three Nigerians are particularly notable, with each individual accused of making material misstatements to immigration officials. Jonathan Omorogieva Obasohan, for instance, allegedly obtained his citizenship under a fake identity, having previously been ordered to be deported under a different name. Yetunde Folake Okaniyi, on the other hand, is accused of entering into a sham marriage with a U.S. citizen and concealing her true identity to obtain a green card and later naturalize as a U.S. citizen. Vivian Chike Obichere, who naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 2013, allegedly misrepresented her criminal history during her naturalization proceedings. The Justice Department's efforts to denaturalize these individuals are seen as a significant step in protecting the integrity of the naturalization process and ensuring the safety of the American people.