Abayomi Susan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating an alleged multi-billion-naira visa overstay extortion network within the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), with at least five serving immigration officers, including a Deputy Comptroller, reportedly questioned over the matter.
The ongoing investigation, which reportedly spans the tenures of several former Comptrollers-General of Immigration, has allegedly uncovered about N700 million in the bank accounts of one suspect, while investigators are also tracing several multi-billion-naira properties allegedly acquired through proxies.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the alleged scheme centres on the extortion of foreign nationals who overstayed their visas, with immigration officers suspected of illegally collecting or diverting penalties meant to be paid by affected foreigners.
The probe follows the implementation of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, which introduced a penalty of $15 for every day a foreign national remains in the country after the expiration of a valid visa.
The investigation is said to involve officers attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the Nigerian Immigration Service Headquarters in Abuja.
Among those reportedly questioned are Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Bashar Suleiman, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Musa Abubakar, Chief Superintendent of Immigration Dotun Aridegbe, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration Emmanuel Imaekhai, and Assistant Superintendent of Immigration O. Babatunde.
Sources said the investigation was triggered by information provided by a female immigration officer, who allegedly exposed the operation through a whistleblower report.
According to one source, the disclosures prompted investigators to examine the financial records and activities of several immigration officers and their associates.
The source further alleged that investigators are examining whether the alleged extortion network may have operated for several years, spanning different administrations within the Immigration Service.
The investigation has also reportedly extended to the activities of some aides of the current Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, as investigators seek to determine whether any senior officials benefited from the alleged scheme.
However, no formal charges have been filed against the Comptroller-General, and the allegations remain under investigation.
Investigators are also said to be examining the role of a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration who reportedly served at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for more than a decade. During a search of the officer’s residence, immigration stamps allegedly linked to various international airports across Nigeria were reportedly recovered.
The officer is also alleged to have maintained close working relationships with successive Comptrollers-General of Immigration, a development investigators are examining as part of efforts to determine the scope and duration of the alleged network.
The EFCC is equally investigating the alleged use of proxy individuals to conceal proceeds of the suspected racket. Some persons whose identities were allegedly used to operate multiple bank accounts and acquire landed properties have reportedly informed investigators that they acted on behalf of the suspects.
As part of the investigation, the commission is scrutinising financial records, bank accounts and assets linked to the individuals under investigation, while efforts continue to trace the alleged proceeds of the scheme.
The probe may also be expanded to include former Comptrollers-General of Immigration, who could be invited to clarify issues arising from the investigation and statements reportedly obtained from some of the suspects.
Meanwhile, one of the officers named in connection with the investigation, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration O. Babatunde, has denied any involvement in the alleged visa overstay extortion scheme.
In a brief response, Babatunde stated that he had no connection with any visa-related fraud or racketeering and insisted that he had never been invited by the EFCC over such allegations.
Other officers mentioned in the reports, including Dotun Aridegbe, Emmanuel Imaekhai, and Bashar Suleiman, had not responded to enquiries at the time of filing this report.
The EFCC has yet to announce any formal charges against the officers, and investigations remain ongoing.
All allegations remain subject to investigation, and the individuals named are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
