DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

EFCC Uncovers Alleged Visa Overstay Racket in Immigration Service

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating an alleged visa-overstay extortion network within Nigeria's Immigration Service.
  • The probe, triggered by a female officer's tip, has reportedly uncovered N700 million in one suspect's account and billions in properties acquired through third parties.
  • At least five immigration officers, including a Deputy Comptroller, are being questioned as investigators examine how penalties for overstayers were allegedly exploited for personal gain.

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a major investigation into an alleged visa-overstay extortion network operating within the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). The probe, which reportedly began after a female immigration officer provided information about the racket, has already led to the questioning of at least five serving immigration officers, including a Deputy Comptroller.

Investigators are reportedly examining an alleged scheme where foreigners overstaying their visas were subjected to extortion. The investigation has uncovered a significant financial trail, with approximately N700 million found in the account of one suspect and multi-billion-naira properties allegedly acquired through proxies. The EFCC is scrutinizing the handling of penalties and other payments collected from individuals who remained in Nigeria beyond their visa validity.

The probe is also looking into whether an organized network of officials and associates unlawfully profited from these overstayers, using various financial channels and property acquisitions to conceal the illicit proceeds. The investigation covers key immigration operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and the NIS headquarters.

Among those reportedly questioned are Assistant Superintendent Bashar Suleiman (Lagos airport), Deputy Superintendent Musa Abubakar (Abuja airport), Chief Superintendent Dotun Aridegbe (Principal Staff Officer to the Comptroller-General), Assistant Comptroller Emmanuel Imaekhai, and Assistant Superintendent O. Babatunde, both reportedly personal assistants to the Comptroller-General. The EFCC has not yet announced any charges. This investigation comes as Nigeria is implementing a formal penalty regime under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, which mandates a daily overstay penalty of $15.

We opened an investigation into the visa overstay racket after a female immigration officer blew the lid on the racketeering.

— EFCC SourceA source familiar with the matter explained how the EFCC investigation into the immigration service began.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog