Morning recap: US Visa bond policy, fake agency scandal, 2027 politics dominate top stories

The United States has made its visa bond program permanent, requiring certain travelers from 50 countries, including Nigeria and 29 other African nations, to pay a refundable $20,000 bond for specific visa categories. The U.S. Department of State stated the policy applies to applicants seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas who are instructed by a consular officer to post a bond. The program, initially a pilot initiative, aims to strengthen compliance with U.S. immigration laws, with bonds refunded upon travelers' timely departure. Meanwhile, Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, denied allegations of solely establishing the agency. His legal team stated that numerous Federal Government ministries, departments, and agencies acknowledged, processed, or engaged with the council. Adeyemi, currently in police custody, requested to appear before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the council, arguing that a report without his testimony would violate his right to a fair hearing. Other significant headlines include the Federal Government barring Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from awarding unfunded contracts. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) released new orientation camp guidelines for prospective corps members. Fresh divisions have emerged within the Obi-Kwankwaso political movement. Additionally, a PUNCH investigation revealed that over 6,500 Primary Healthcare Centres across Nigeria remain non-functional despite years of funding.

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Producing a report without hearing his side of the matter would amount to a breach of his constitutional right to fair hearing.