The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday cleared the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, of any involvement in the ongoing investigation into alleged visa racketeering, declaring that she is not under probe.
The anti-graft agency dismissed media reports and online insinuations linking the Immigration boss to the investigation, insisting that she has no connection with the alleged visa fraud cases.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said while investigations into alleged visa fraud involving some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service are ongoing, Nandap is not a subject of the probe.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is aware of reports in the media about alleged visa racketeering involving some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, especially subtle insinuations about the assumed investigation of the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap.
“The commission wishes to state unequivocally that it has no case with the Immigration CG,” the statement said.
The commission, however, confirmed that criminal cases involving some immigration officers are already before the Federal High Court over alleged visa fraud.
According to the EFCC, investigations are continuing and more officers could face prosecution if further evidence emerges.
“There are subsisting cases of alleged visa fraud against some immigration officers at the Federal High Court. Further investigations are ongoing, with the possibility that more NIS officers could be arraigned for alleged fraudulent practices in the near future.
“However, the Immigration CG is not remotely connected to these investigations,” the commission added.
The EFCC also urged journalists and media organisations to verify information with the agency before publication to avoid misleading the public and misrepresenting its activities.
The clarification followed reports alleging that senior officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service were being investigated over an alleged visa overstay racketeering scheme.
According to the allegations, some immigration officers were accused of collecting money from visa overstayers instead of enforcing the penalties prescribed under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, which stipulates a fine of 15 dollars per day for every day a foreign national remains in the country after the expiration of a visa.
The reports also alleged that investigators were examining about ₦700 million said to have been traced to the account of one officer under investigation, while another suspect was being probed over properties allegedly acquired through third-party arrangements.
