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Tag: passport

  • Nigeria Immigration suspends processing of new passports

    Nigeria Immigration suspends processing of new passports

    The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, has announced the suspension of receiving and processing of all fresh passport applications nationwide until June 1.

    Babandede, while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said that a new passport regime would take effect from same date.

    He said that the suspension was to allow for clearance of backlog of all passport applications received before May 17, adding that all backlogs were expected to be cleared by May 31.

    What that means according to him, is that all passport offices nationwide will not be opened to public until June 1, adding that task force supervised by senior officers were being deployed for the exercise.

    He also said that all applicants of the backlog would be contacted to collect their passports from state command offices and not passport offices.

    NIS boss disclosed that the new passport regime, when effected, would ensure the delivery period of six weeks from the date of submission of applications if there was no local objection.

    “What we are saying is that because of the situation of backlogs, all passport control offices are hereby sealed between today and May 31 to enable them to clear the backlogs.

    “So, there will be no operation in passport offices from today, payment portal has already been closed locally as of yesterday night until May 31.

    “Payment from June 1 will be purely online, no cash to passport office, no cash to any immigration officer and the focus is to ensure that no person that is not supposed to be in the passport office goes there.

    “For all passports that have been produced, we have sent text messages to Nigerians whose passports were pending that their passports were ready and the directive is that they would collect these passports from state controllers’ offices in the states and not passport offices.

    With effect from June 1, the minister has directed that the issuance of passport in Nigeria will now take six weeks for applicants to collect their passports,” he said.

    Babandede also announced that renewal applicants could also apply six months to the expiration of their old passports to avoid rushing to apply a day to their trips.

    He said that the measure would eradicate corruption associated with passport issuance, adding that the service had also set up fast track centre for those that require express service and willing to pay more.

    According to him, it is a standard practice everywhere in the world, including UK and U.S.

    He said that NIS had improved its services at the foreign missions, adding that the foreign passport offices would not close during the period but would ensure that all backlogs were ready for collection before June 1.

    NIS boss noted that the backlog figure currently stood at 136,364, comprising 17,906 for foreign applicants, 71,644 local and 46,814 enhanced local applicants.

    He assured the public that the Nigerian passport was currently one of the most secure passports in the world due to enhanced security features that made it difficult to be compromised.

    He added that efforts were ongoing to streamline passport issuance abroad to ensure seamless service delivery to Nigerians.

  • Passport: NIS sets deadline to clear all existing application backlogs

    Passport: NIS sets deadline to clear all existing application backlogs

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said all existing passport application backlogs across all issuing centres would have been cleared by May 2021.

    This was announced at an NIS interactive media briefing on the current challenges in passport administration and issuance held at the Service Headquarters in Abuja.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola also announced plans to deploy undercover agents to check touting, extortion and other sharp practices at passport offices nationwide and abroad.

    “I am declaring a zero-tolerance stance to all forms of touting. No applicant will be made to pay any illegitimate fees. We are going to embed security operatives, seen and unseen, in all our passport offices. They will wear body cameras.

    “They will detect and report any form of solicitations, inflation, improper communications, extortion, diversion, hoarding and other corrupt practices”, the Minister said.

  • Reps query Immigration boss for producing Nigerian passports abroad

    Reps query Immigration boss for producing Nigerian passports abroad

    The House of Representatives has said that it was abnormal to produce Nigerian passports outside the country in view of its security features.

    Rep Timehin Adelegbe, Vice Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said this at the public hearing on incessant malpractices associated with diplomatic postings and deliberate draining of resources on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said that the security features contained in the Nigerian passport should be guarded, adding that printing of Nigerian passport by a private firm outside the country was abnormal.

    He said that most Nigerians were not happy with the process and collection of passports, adding that it was high time the issue was taken seriously and addressed.

    In his reaction, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mohammed Babandede, said it was his greatest desire to produce Nigerian passports within the country.

    “Our wish is to produce even a booklet of Nigerian passport in our compound,” he said.

    Speaking on the issue of nepotism in NIS foreign posting, Babandede said that officers often go the extra mile to lobby their way as they consider such posting the most lucrative.

    He, however, said that since he assumed office, he had embraced transparency on foreign posting as 50 per cent was reserved for officers who attended training school and 10 per cent for officers who had received award.

    He said that Nigeria had 47 diplomatic missions across the world, adding that officers are only saddled with issuing visas and handling traveling documents.

    Babandede added that fees realized from these were usually remitted to the Federal Government, adding that contrary to the $40 million generated in 2019, in 2020 it generated $20 million due to COVID-19 pandemic.

    He said that the extra charges being collected by Nigeria’s foreign missions would soon be addressed, adding that it had been a big issue.

    He urged Nigerians abroad to be orderly and responsible in their quest to obtain passports and other documents, adding that there was need to respect Nigeria’s mission abroad.

    Rep Yusuf Buba Yakub, Committee Chairman, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained the first mirror through which the entire world see Nigeria, hence, “whatever happens to it must be of concern to us.

    “We must, therefore, resolve to work together to achieve the Foreign Service of our fondest dreams; and the time to do this, for me, personally, is today.

    Rep Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated that there was hardly a country he visited that there were no embarrassing stories in the country’s missions.

    ” I visited many, right from my time as Minority Leader to House Leader and I can recall such stories.

    “Be rest assured that it is not the intention of the House of Reps to act in a manner that singles out any one individual or group, neither is it our desire to take punitive action as a matter of politics.

    “We will conduct a thorough review of what is, by every standard, one of our nation’s premier institutions. And we will work with all who bear a responsibility to try to fix what needs fixing and rebuild what is broken,” he said.

    Mr Jeofrey Onyema, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, commended Babandede, adding that he remained one of the finest officers he had met.

    He blamed the social media on some of the reports about Nigeria’s foreign missions, adding that most of the story posted on social media were not true.

  • FG launches E-Temporary Passport to replace Emergency Travel Certificate

    FG launches E-Temporary Passport to replace Emergency Travel Certificate

    The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated an electronic Temporary Passport to replace the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC), for effective identity management.

    Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, explained that the Temporary Passport was an electronic document with all the features of a regular passport.

    According to Aregbesola, the difference is that it is temporary and valid for one trip, and will be retrieved from the user at the entry point.

    “The Temporary Passport is ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) compliant and is valid for only 30 days.

    “It is a replacement for the hitherto Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) which was issued to Nigerians in emergency situations where their Passports were not available and had the need to travel to Nigeria.

    “This new document is not a replacement for the Nigerian Passport; it will only serve a temporary purpose in the case of loss or misplacement of the Nigerian Passport by a Nigerian abroad.

    “In the light of the present security challenges faced by the country, the Temporary Passport will no doubt help to checkmate the excess of criminal elements that takes advantage of the ETC to infiltrate the country,” he said.

    The minister further assured Nigerians having difficulties with obtaining the Nigerian passport that the challenge would soon end.

    “We are putting measures in place that will make it very easy to obtain the passport, once they come to fruition,” he said.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, commended the Federal Government for the initiative, stating that it was a step in the right direction.

    Onyeama, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Gabriel Aduda, stated that oftentimes when there were issues with passport and travels, Nigerians tended to point accusing fingers at the ministry.

    He added that with the temporary passport, there would be an organised, serialised and verifiable system of issuing the temporary document.

    “This is a commendable achievement not just to the Nigerian Immigration Service but the country as a whole,” he said.

    The Comptroller-General of NIS, Mr Muhammad Babandede, said that the temporary passport would be valid for 30 days from the day of issuance, adding that once you arrived in the country you cannot travel back with it.

    “Embassies have been complaining to us on our temporary passport which does not have a database or biometric features. This, however, has been a huge security threat to us and the host country.

    “The temporary passport is a document with blue colour and contains four pages which has passport photograph inside.

    “ It has enhanced our data system that means, it is connected to our data page and there is an end to end connectivity with what is captured and what is in our data page,” he said.

  • NIS backs down, tells #EndSARS promoter, Odele to come pick seized passport

    NIS backs down, tells #EndSARS promoter, Odele to come pick seized passport

    Sequel to the outrage that erupted on social media after officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, stopped one of the promoters of the recent #EndSARS protests, Modupe Odele from travelling out of the country and subsequently seized her passport, the service has contacted Odele to come pick the passport.

    Odele’s passport was seized six days ago at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos while travelling out of the country.

    She had complained and wondered why her passport was seized without any explanation from the NIS.

    The NIS had earlier denied that her passport was seized because of her involvement in #EndSARS campaign against police brutality.

    According to NIS’ spokesman, Sunday James, her passport was seized as part of a routine border assignment.

    “As an enforcement agency in charge of border management, if there is an order restricting anybody from entry into the country, we enforce it without any prejudice.

    “This doesn’t have anything to do with EndSARS protest or an individual, it is a routine assignment.”

    However, on Friday, Odele tweeted that NIS has asked her to come for the collection of her passport by 4.00pm on Friday (today).

    She said she had told them that she would come to pick it up by Monday.

    Odele stated that she asked for an earlier time, but was told that the passport would only be ready by 4.00pm.

    “I’ve been told by Immigration that my passport is ready for collection from 4pm today. I’ve respectfully informed them I’ll be there on Monday to pick it up.

    “Since today is Friday, I asked for an earlier time but was told it will only be ready from 4pm today Friday,” she tweeted.

     

  • Nigeria stops emergency passport services in New York

    The Consulate General of Nigeria in New York has suspended emergency passport services due to shortage of old booklets.

    In a notice dated March 6, 2020, the consulate said only applicants on appointment would be attended to in the time being.

    “The Consulate General will resume attending to all and sundry when the passport booklet supply improves,” the notice said.

    The shortage, according to the Consul General, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen, is occasioned by gradual phaseout of the old passport and transition to the new 10 year enhanced E-Passport.

    Okoyen gave the explanation while addressing a group of emergency passport applicants in his office in New York.

    The applicants, who had showed up at the consulate before their respective interview dates, said they had no prior knowledge of the new policy.

    Some became displeased after consular officials refused to attend to them for fear of flouting the policy.

    Attempts at explanation fell on deaf ears as some said they came from far states, and could not afford the cost of putting up in New York.

    On arrival at the premises, Okoyen took them to his office where he explained the situation.

    “There is a transition going on from the five-year to the 10-year validity passport, and we are trying to manage the old stock.

    “We hope the transition process is completed soon, and once that is done this issue will be over.

    “Currently, we only have limited number of booklets, which have been allocated according to our scheduled appointments,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria learnt that some of the applicants, most of whom were seeking renewal of their passports, came from other consular jurisdictions.

    Besides New York, Nigeria has two other consulates in the United States located in Atlanta and Washington, serving allotted numbers of the country’s 50 states.

    There are 20 states under the New York consular jurisdiction, including Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire and New Jersey,

    Others are New York, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont and Pennsylvania.

    (NAN)

     

  • Ronaldinho arrested in Paraguay over fake passport claims

    Brazil Football star, Ronaldinho has been arrested in Paraguay for allegedly using false documentation to enter the South American country.

    The 39-year-old, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, was detained in the Resort Yacht & Golf Club Paraguayo along with his brother Roberto on Wednesday night, the Ministry of Interior of Paraguay has confirmed.

    According to La Nacion, passports were found in the hotel bearing the names of Ronaldinho and Roberto with Paraguayan nationality.

    Both the brothers remained in the hotel suite overnight, with Paraguayan authorities due to issue a statement on Thursday morning.

    An official statement from the Paraguayan police had earlier revealed that Ronaldinho and his entourage had been invited to Paraguay by casino owner Nelson Belotti.

    The former Brazil international was expected to hold several publicity events, with the media invited to witness his interaction with fans and dignitaries.

    Ronaldinho is currently without a Brazilian passport because of an environmental fine he received in 2018.

    The former Barcelona star and his brother were convicted of illegally building a fishing trap at Lake Guaiba in 2015 without proper licensing in a permanent preservation area.

    That conviction saw the duo handed an $8.5 million (£6.5m) fine in November 2018 and after failing to pay up, Brazil’s Superior Court of Justice decided to stop Ronaldinho from being able to leave the country.

    Despite being unable to travel out of Brazil, Ronaldinho was unveiled as one of the country’s new ambassadors for tourism in September last year.

    Literally stranded in his homeland, the former AC Milan star said at the time that he was trying to make the most of his situation after accepting a role to promote Brazil’s tourism.

    “Tourism is very important for generating jobs and regaining our image internationally,” Ronaldinho said at his unveiling as an ambassador.

    Ronaldinho enjoyed a distinguished playing career across South America and Europe – winning the Champions League, La Liga, Serie A and Copa Libertadores.

    He also secured numerous individual honours, including the 2005 Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

    The Porto Alegre-born forward lifted the World Cup in South Korea and Japan in 2002 and won the Copa America with his national team in 1999.

  • Court fixes date to hear Dasuski ‘s application for passport release

    Court fixes date to hear Dasuski ‘s application for passport release

    An FCT High Court Maitama on Thursday fixed Feb. 19 for hearing in a motion filed by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) seeking for the release of his passport to travel for medical attention.

    Dasuki is being tried before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf in two separate cases alongside other defendants since 2015.

    The former Minister of State for Finance, Mr Bashir Yuguda; a former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Sagir; and his company, Dalhatu Investment Limited, are listed as defendants in one of the cases.

    The other defendants in the fraud charges are: former General Manager, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Baba Kusa and two firms — Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

    Baba- Yusuf, fixed the date, after Mr Adeolu Adedipe, defence counsel, informed the court that he has an filed an application and served it on Feb. 11 on the EFCC.

    The judge also fixed March 13 for hearing in the substantive suit.

    Adedipe said the motion is seeking for the release of Dasuski ‘s passport.

    Counsel to EFCC, Mr Adebisi Adeniyi, informed the court that he was served two days ago and needed time to study it.

    ”The challenge we have is that we are yet to verify if the passport is with the court because the prosecution does not have it in our custody,” he said.

    Earlier, Adeniyi told the court that the prosecution was withdrawing its motions, dated Oct. 4, 2019 and Dec. 20, 2019.

    NAN reports that in the charge , with number FCT/HC/CR/42/2015, he was charged alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda.

    Also, a former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, his son, Sagir and his company, Dalhatu Investment Limited.

    They are facing a 25-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public fund to the tune N19.4 billion.

  • FG bars ex-CJN Onnoghen from travelling, seizes passport

    The Federal government has barred immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, from travelling out of the country.

    TheNewsGuru learnt that the move may not be unconnected to a fresh probe into Onnoghen’s affairs.

    It would be recalled that Onnoghen was convicted for not declaring his assets by the Code of Conduct Tribunal in April.

    An internal report issued by the Nigeria Immigration Service, stated that Onnoghen, his wife and daughter were attempting to travel to Accra, Ghana when they were accosted by immigration officers.

    The report stated, “On November 11, 2019, retired Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, was attempting to travel to Accra, Ghana. He was in company with his wife, Nkoyo, and daughter.

    “His passport, with number A50445233, was flagged because Justice Onnoghen’s name was on the watch list. The passport is currently in custody of the NIS.”

    The senior officer told newsmen that the passport seized from Onnoghen was not a diplomatic passport but the ordinary green passport. The immigration officer further disclosed that the directive to seize Onnoghen’s passport came from the Presidency.

    “Justice Onnoghen will have to meet with the Presidency to know why his passport was seized. We are only following instructions,” the officer said.

    Recall that in a judgment by the three-man bench led by Justice Stephen Adah, it was unanimously ruled that the CCT’s ex parte order breached the ex-CJN’s right to a fair hearing.

    While reading the lead judgment, Justice Adah stated that the proceedings of the CCT shouldn’t have been conducted “in a shady or clandestine manoeuvre” the way the ex parte order was obtained by the prosecution.

    However, the court said it could not upturn Onnoghen’s conviction since the trial had already taken place.

  • Amazing! Bolanle Ninalowo identifies fake passport, ATM card in his name

    Amazing! Bolanle Ninalowo identifies fake passport, ATM card in his name

    Nollywood hunk, Bolanle Ninalowo is not in the best of moods at the moment.

     

    The actor recently spotted a fake passport and a fake ATM card created in his name.

     

    Ninalowo took to his Instagram page to share pictures of the items on Instagram on Thursday.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B59l0IFpH_g/?utm_source=ig_embed

    “This is how far they go now to scam people. A fake passport in my name and picture (no surprise). A real/fake FirstBank ATM card (not sure because I don’t even know how possible it is to obtain one without a BVN number or did they generate one at the bank?),” he queried.

     

    Speaking further, the father of two urged his fans not to take any impostor seriously, adding that he does not have accounts on other social media platforms except Instagram.

     

    “Well I am an actor and not a crime investigator however I will implore everyone to refrain from all online dealings with anyone or any page who claims to be Bolanle Ninalowo,” he said.
    “This is my only VERIFIED account. I am not on FACEBOOK, TWITTER or any other social media platforms. I DO NOT make friends or deal with anyone online for any reasons whatsoever. You have NEVER chatted with me so stop making yourself believe what you know is totally false. You get scammed; you are on your own. Beware!!!”