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Tag: VISA

  • US Embassy saddened over Visa denial to Nigerians

    The United States Embassy in Nigeria has said its officers are sad denying visa applications to Nigerians.

    The embassy said this in a Facebook post on Monday.

    “Contrary to popular opinion, visa officers do not enjoy handing anyone the 214b refusal letter,” it posted.

    “Proof: Visa Officers will be live on Facebook to talk about some of the commonly misunderstood questions on the DS 160 and help you improve your next application.”

    It also urged Nigerians to tune into a live Facebook talk at 2 pm on Wednesday.

    The post, however, gathered reactions from Nigerian with one Adaobi Emmanuella Njoku saying the embassy enjoys denying Nigerians visa.

    “Contrary to what you just posted, I think and believe they actually do enjoy it because they act like they know it all and still end up giving visas to people without genuine intentions,” she wrote.

    “I can’t wait for Wednesday to come because I have already prepared my questions.

    “They will explain to me how it is possible to deny a person visa three times with three different reasons at different times when the form was filled exactly the same and for the same purpose: for a medical trip to help save one’s child.

    “I can’t wait for Wednesday.”

  • U.S. revokes ICC chief prosecutor’s visa

    U.S. revokes ICC chief prosecutor’s visa

    The U.S. has revoked an entry visa for Fatou Bensouda, the International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor.

    The office of the prosecutor confirmed the information to dpa on Friday.

    The U.S. wants to prevent the court from opening an investigation into alleged crimes by U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

    Bensouda can still travel to New York when she has to report to the United Nations Security Council, the spokesperson said, adding that the prosecutor’s work will continue despite the visa issue.

    Bensouda had requested judicial approval for an official investigation, saying there is sufficient evidence of war crimes and proof that U.S. soldiers and CIA employees tortured or brutally handled prisoners in 2003 and 2004.

    U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had already threatened to revoke entry visas for employees of the court.

    The U.S. is not a signatory to the statute governing the International Criminal Court and has rejected the judicial body’s legitimacy for years.

    The International Criminal Court prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    It is based on the Rome Statute, which entered into force in 2002.

    A total of 122 countries signed the statue, including all EU member states.

  • U.S. citizens will need a visa to travel to Europe beginning in 2021

    U.S. citizens will need a visa to travel to Europe beginning in 2021

    United States citizens will be required to have a visa if they travel to Europe, beginning from 2021, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) announced on Sunday.

    “The visa will be valid for three years, and will allow a holder to enter the country “as many times as necessary,’’ ETIAS added.

    Currently, U.S. citizens may travel to Europe for up to 90 days without a visa.

    “Like many other countries, the decision to require a visa comes in an effort to improve security and avoid any further problems with illegal immigration and terrorism.

    “The requirement includes the European Schengen-zone, a group of 26 countries, 22 of which are members of the European Union,’’ it said.

    When enrolling in ETIAS, a person’s passport must be valid for three months after the intended stay.

    Passports over 10 years old may not be accepted as valid forms of documentation for travel.

    Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland are just a few of the countries affected by the new mandate.

    ETIAS is a border control system created by the European Commission, which works to secure borders around the EU.

    Report says a full list of countries that will require a visa from U.S. citizens is available on the ETIAS website.

     

  • FG approves Visa fee waiver for accredited election observers

    The Federal Government has approved visa fee waiver for accredited observers and monitors of the nation’s upcoming general elections.

    Comptroller-General Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He said that the waiver was sequel to the re-scheduling of the general elections to Saturday for Presidential and National Assembly, from Feb. 16, and March 9 for Governorship and House of Assembly, from March 2.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) gave logistics and operational problems as reasons for postponing the polls.

    Babandede said that waiver was in consideration of the plight of accredited observers and monitors who were caught-up by the re-scheduled elections.

    He urged all affected individuals and organisations wishing to extend their stay or travel back to their countries and return for the next elections to visit NIS Visa Desk at INEC Headquarters.

    “The desk officers will attend to those requiring extension of their visas issued Gratis (No Fee Charge).

    “This provision became necessary to afford those affected, the opportunity to travel out or return without violating the immigration provisions that relates to entry and exit with valid visa and document.”

  • National Assembly summons US Ambassador over rising visa denials

    The National Assembly has summoned the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, over the alleged high rate of visa denial of Nigerians.

    The invitation is following the petition to the House of Representatives by an activist, Kayode Bello.

    Punch had done an investigation into how many Nigerian students seeking to study in US schools were denied visas despite spending a lot of money on different fees.

    Some of the fees, the report highlighted, were application fees, evaluation fees, courier fees, service fees, visa fees, school fees.

    The fees were said to be non-refundable.

    While some of the students claimed that they were denied visas because they were not married, others said they were denied because only one of their parents was their sponsor.

    A parent claimed that his daughter’s interview was cut short because she asked the interviewer to speak up.

    A former ambassador to the US, John Campbell had, however, told Punch visas were given by consular officers on a case by case basis, adding that the refusal of many people to return home after finishing their programmes made the process difficult.

    The activist, Bello, petitioned the National Assembly through member representing the Ede and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, after suffering a similar fate of denial.

    The summon, entitled, ‘Indiscriminate denial of United States of America visa and illegal increment of the exchange rate of visa fee by the American embassy’ was signed by the House Committee Chairman on Public Petitions, Uzo Azubuike.

    The two-page document, dated November 27, 2018, and a copy of which was received by our correspondent, said the hearing would hold on Tuesday, December 4 at 2 pm at the House of Representatives Room 429.

    The House asked the ambassador to present 20 copies of his defense.

    The Clerk of the House, Omale Adoyi, however, said the US embassy rejected the summon.

    “But we will go on with the hearing and may have to adjourn if they fail to show up,” he added.

  • Odi/Zaki-Biam massacres:Trouble for Obasanjo, Danjuma as group demand ex-leaders banned from entering US, UK

    Odi/Zaki-Biam massacres:Trouble for Obasanjo, Danjuma as group demand ex-leaders banned from entering US, UK

    The United States of America, United Kingdom and others have been asked to restrict entry for former President Olusegun Obasanjo and TY Danjuma, erstwhile Minister of Defence as a consequence for their alleged involvement in mass killings and detention of innocent citizens that took place under various guises when they held sway.

    Policing Nigeria Awareness Initiative, who made this call in a letter addressed to the Embassy of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and others specifically pointed out the massacres of innocent Nigerians in Zaki Biam, Benue State and Odi area of Beyalsa during the Obasanjo-led government.

    This call came barely one week after the Good Governance Advocacy Project, a Civil Society Organization had called on the United Nations and International Criminal Court, ICC, to investigate, probe Obasanjo and Danjuma for their alleged involvement in war crimes and other offenses against humanity that took place at various times between 1999 and 2007.

    The letter signed by High Chief Amb Egbe Akparakwu, Executive Director of the group and obtained by our reporter on Tuesday, alleged that under the Obasanjo administration and with T.Y Danjuma as Minister of Defence, Nigeria experienced arbitrary detention and killing of innocent Nigerians under various guises.

    The group in the letter made reference to a revelation by former associate of ex-President Obasanjo, Mr. Richard Odusanya, who alleged that the former chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees was in charge of a killer squad that was formed under the military regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha.

    According to Odusanya, the squad was used for political assassinations and was responsible for the unresolved killings of politicians under Obasanjo administration.

    Part of the letter read, “As a flashback, during the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo in October 2001, the then Minister of Defence, T.Y Danjuma, ordered the military invasion of a community in Benue State, where thousands of people were killed and burnt beyond recognition. These innocent persons including women and children no doubt share the same faith with TY Danjuma.

    “In 1999, over 2500 civilians were killed by the military under T.Y Danjuma in Odi town in Bayelsa state. Odi is another predominant Christian community in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria with a less than 1 pee cent of the people as Muslims. All these demonstrate TY Danjuma and his former boss disposition towards humanity and their joy to shed innocent blood at any slightest opportunity.

    “In addition, under Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria witnessed an unprecedented government masterminded political killings. This much was confirmed by a close associate who worked closely with him.

    “Among those who were politically murdered during Obasanjo administration included, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, and South-South politicians, Chief Harry Marshall, Chief A.K. Dikibo, a former Senatorial Candidate of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, in Imo State, Uche Orji, Arc Layi Balogun, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Prof Chimere Ikoku, former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, in Anambra State, Chief Barnabas Igwe and his wife, Chief Victor Nwankwo of Fourth Dimension Publishers and Chief Funso Williams. All these Nigerians are people that share the same religious faith with both Obasanjo and TY Danjuma yet we’re killed under circumstances that are quite familiar to the two men.

    “It is also necessary for emphasis to be made that Under Obasanjo’s civilian rule, the massacres at Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki Biam in Benue State where women and children were slaughtered, there has been no accountability. No one has been charged for this mass murder of innocent people despite countless petitions so far submitted by various groups and organizations calling for justice.

    “There was also a huge rise in harassment and intimidation of Human Rights Activists under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo. Arrests, Torture and some cases systematic killings of youth activists in the Niger Delta were rife. The arbitrary detention and subsequent torture of Comrade Sunny Ofehe, member Coalition for the Niger Delta Campaign (CNDC), and Mr. Oladeji Odukoya, a member of the Delta Youth Development Council (DYDC), is a clear testimony of the government use of force to silence its critics. Many of these have changed in recent times to pave way for a country where democratic principles are being entrenched.

    “Consequent upon the fact that the duo of Olusegun Obasanjo and T.Y Danjuma have through their actions and inaction committed crimes and still committing crimes against humanity, we request that a travel ban is imposed on Olusegun Obasanjo and T.Y Danjuma into your country as a sanction for promoting war crimes pending the determination of our actions before the International Criminal Court.

    “It is also our prayer that the duo of Olusegun Obasanjo and T.Y Danjuma that have brought sorrow and tears to countless families be made to face the full wrath of the law. We implore your governments to raise these issues before the United Nations go serve as deterrent to other world leaders who abuse their office and those who might be preparing the new grounds for crimes against humanity.”

  • Atiku visa ban: Obasanjo reacts to allegations of mounting pressures on U.S. Govt

    Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday reacted to allegation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that he had been mounting pressure on American authorities to expunge an alleged corruption case against his anointed and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

    The ruling party allege that Atiku is wanted in the United States for fraud, claiming Obasanjo was scheming to have the alleged charges dropped in order to clear the path for Atiku’s entry into that country.

    Recall that Atiku has not been able to enter the U.S. since at least 2007 when he completed his two-term as vice-president, serving under Mr Obasanjo the entire eight years.

    Obasanjo and Atiku had been fiercely antagonistic of one another for several years, with the former president insisting he would never support his ex-vice-president’s political ambition.

    The crisis was, however, resolved earlier this week when Atiku and a host of political and religious leaders visited him at home in Abeokuta and pleaded with him for forgiveness. Forcing Obasanjo to promptly endorse Atiku, who had a week ago emerged the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

    The APC said Obasanjo’s purported intervention betrayed his “legendary hypocrisy and self-serving interest in national affairs.”

    Reacting to the claim on Saturday Obasanjo’s spokesman, Kehinde Akinyemi said: “Baba cannot be responding to frivolous allegations by a vicious political party.” “Let them bring any shred of evidence to back their false claim.”

    “It is unfortunate that they are trying to distract the attention of Nigerians in the lead up to a general election rather than focus on campaigning on serious issues to lift the country out of its current state,” Akinyemi added.

  • 2019: Obasanjo mounting pressure on U.S. to lift visa ban on Atiku – APC

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday accused Former President Olusegun Obasanjo of mounting pressures on the Government of the United States to lift a visa ban on Atiku Abubakar.
    Abubakar is the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
    The ruling party said this in a statement by its spokesperson, Yekini Nabena, on Friday.
    The APC said it has credible reports that Mr Obasanjo made moves to secure United States entry visa for Mr Abubakar.
    “It is learnt that the former president who during and after leaving office insisted on Atiku’s unsuitability to govern Nigeria based on his knowledge of the latter’s extensive corrupt practices while he served as Vice President, is lobbying US authorities to withdraw the ban reportedly placed on Atiku from entering the United States following a 2005 $500,000 bribery scandal that involved Atiku, his fourth wife, Jennifer and former United States Congressman, William Jefferson.
    “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s intervention in Alh. Abubakar Atiku’s ban from the United States of America is evidence of Obasanjo’s legendary hypocrisy and self-serving interest in national affairs,” Mr Nabena said.
    This is coming a day after Mr Obasanjo endorsed Mr Abubakar for president, making a U-turn from his previous stand.
     

  • US Embassy closes visa, consular services in Abuja indefinitely

    The United States Embassy has shut its visa and consular services section at its embassy in Abuja.

    It explained that appointments for visa and for American citizen services have also been put on hold temporarily.

    Consular operations in Lagos were, however, not affected, the mission said in a statement on its website on Tuesday.

    The Embassy disclosed this in a press statement issued on Tuesday as it did not give reason for the decision.

    However, no reason was given for the decision.

    Read full statement below:

    Temporary Closure of U.S. Embassy Abuja’s Consular Section

    Until further notice, all consular appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja have temporarily ceased for both visa and for American Citizen Services (ACS). Consular functions in U.S. Consulate Lagos are not affected and will continue.

    Scheduled visa and ACS applicants for Abuja will be contacted for rescheduling.

    American citizens in northern Nigeria with emergency services needs should continue to contact the after-hours emergency number for Abuja at 09461-4000 and press “0” to go to the operator to request assistance.

    American citizens in northern Nigeria with urgent travel needs who are travelling before Tuesday and who are willing to re-schedule their travel through Lagos should contact the ACS office at Consulate Lagos ( 01460 3400 and LagosACS@state.gov) to discuss their options.

    Those travelling after Tuesday should follow up with Abuja ACS to confirm their appointments closer to their appointment date.

  • Fake visa agent in court for collecting N900,000 from Facebook friend

    Fake visa agent in court for collecting N900,000 from Facebook friend

    A fake visa agent, Oyadokun Oladele, on Thursday appeared before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly obtaining N900,000 from his Facebook friend under false pretences.

    Oyadokun, 34, of Fola Tyre area of Oyo State, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and obtaining under false pretences.

    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, told court that the accused committed the offences sometime between November, 2017 and March, 2018 at Ikosi in Ketu, near Lagos.

    Ihiehie said that the complainant, one Adenike Eniola, reported the case at the Alapere Police Station, Ketu on April 2.

    “Sometime last year the complainant and the accused met online and became friends after he introduced himself as an engineer working with a company in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and also as a visa agent.

    “During one of their conversations, Oyadokun told the complainant that he had some issues with his visa business and needed some money to push it.

    “A deposit of N600, 000 was requested by the accused, which the complainant obliged him and transferred the money from her account to the complainant’s account.

    “After some months, Adenike introduced a man, Arogundade Ishola to the accused to secure him a working visa to Dubai of which a sum of N300, 000 was negotiated for the process.

    “The money was transferred to the accused by Adenike on Dec. 22, 2017 and the visa was to be ready in six weeks.

    “After six weeks the accused said there was a slight delay in the visa process but that it was ready and that Arogundade’s flight had been booked for March 10, 2018.

    The prosecutor said that since March 6, the accused blocked his contacts and Facebook’s account so that Adenike wouldn’t reach him.

    He also said that it was discovered that the accused had been operating from Oyo State and not Dubai as believed by Adenike.

    Ihiehie said that Oladele was arrested in Oyo State through some of his friends that he also duped.

    The offences contravened Sections 280 (1), (a), and 314 (1), (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mrs E. Ikubehinje, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties, who must be taxpayers with an evidence of payment of rent and other utility bills.

    The case was adjourned until Aug. 22.

    NAN