Retrieve diplomatic, official passports from unauthorised persons, FG orders Immigration

Abuja – The Federal Government has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to retrieve forthwith all valid diplomatic and official passports from all persons who are not entitled to hold such documents.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Yusuf Isiaka,the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Interior, on Monday in Abuja.

“The Permanent Secretary, Mr Abubakar Magaji, Federal Ministry of Interior, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to retrieve all valid diplomatic and official passports with immediate effect from all persons who are not entitled to hold such documents,” the statement said.

“The attention of the Federal Government has been drawn to the fact that some Nigerians who are not entitled to hold diplomatic and official passports are in possession of these documents,” it said.

According to the statement, the measure is intended to protect and promote Nigeria’s integrity in the comity of nations in addition to ensuring law and order. (NAN)

 

Retrieve diplomatic, official passports from unauthorised persons, FG orders Immigration

FG stripped Abati, 11 other Jonathan"s aides of official passports

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

TWO months after leaving power,  no fewer than 12 close aides of former President Goodluck Jonathan have been stripped of their official passports.

Dr Reuben Abati

A competent source told Saturday Vanguard that the decision to withdraw the official passports of the former aides of Dr Jonathan was to prevent misuse and conflict with new aides and officials of President Muhammadu Buhari, who assumed duties on May 29, 2015.

It could not be established last night whether the affected officials were ordered by the Presidency to surrender the passports or whether they did so voluntarily.

But Saturday Vanguard learned that the affected former aides of Jonathan had already returned the passports to the Presidential Villa preparatory to being handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.

Abati, Adegbe, Obua, 9 others affected

Among those whose passports have been retrieved are former Special Adviser to the President on Media Reuben Abati; former Aide-de-Camp, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe and former Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua, who is currently hospitalised over poor health arising from his recent incarceration by security agents.

Nine other key officials of the Jonathan Presidency who were also issued with official passports have also been stripped of the travel documents.

It was gathered that the former officials had been asked by the Presidency to relinquish their official passports to the Villa within a stipulated time-frame for onward return to the NIS, which issued them.

Questions to answer

However, another source hinted that the withdrawal of the former president’s henchmen’s travel documents was to prevent some of them who have some issues to explain to the new administration from leaving the country and being given preferential treatment at their destinations.

“Don’t forget that some of these officials may be needed here to answer some questions relating to their tenure,” the source said.

No ill-motive –NIS

However, the Nigerian Immigration Service said last night that there was no ill-motive in withdrawing the official passports of  government officials who had completed their assignments.

NIS Public Relations Officer, Mr.  Joachim Obua, explained that it was normal for officials of government to surrender their official passports at the end of their tenure.

“It is important for the position to be made clear that official passports are not the property of anyone holding it. Once you complete your assignment you have to return it to the NIS,” he explained.

 

FG stripped Abati, 11 other Jonathan"s aides of official passports