EFCC Uncovers NIS Visa Overstay Racket, Grills Visa Officers

….N700m found in one suspect’s accounts as investigators trace multi-billion-naira estates, proxy accounts

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has uncovered an alleged multi-billion-naira visa overstay racketeering network within the Nigerian Immigration Service, with at least five serving officers, including a Deputy Comptroller, grilled by investigators.

The investigation, which cuts across the administrations of several former Comptrollers-General of Immigration, has reportedly uncovered about N700 million in the bank accounts of one of the suspects and several multi-billion-naira estates allegedly acquired by another suspect through proxies.

The alleged racket centres on the extortion of foreigners who overstayed their visas, with investigators probing how immigration officials allegedly diverted or illegally collected huge sums from affected foreigners.

The development comes against the backdrop of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, which introduced a penalty regime requiring foreigners who overstay their visas to pay $15 for every day spent in the country after the expiration of their visas.

The EFCC investigation is reportedly focused on officers operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; and the NIS headquarters in Abuja.

Among those said to have been questioned are Assistant Superintendent of Immigration, Bashar Suleiman, serving at the Lagos airport; Deputy Superintendent of Immigration, Musa Abubakar, of the Abuja airport; the Principal Staff Officer to the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Chief Superintendent of Immigration Dotun Aridegbe; and two personal assistants to the Comptroller-General, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration Emmanuel Imaekhai and Assistant Superintendent of Immigration O. Babatunde.

The investigation was reportedly triggered by information supplied by a female immigration officer who allegedly blew the whistle on the scheme.

A source familiar with the probe said the whistleblower’s allegations led investigators to examine the financial activities of several NIS officers and their associates.

“We opened an investigation into the visa overstay racket after a female immigration officer blew the lid on the racketeering,” the source said.

The source alleged that investigators had found links between the alleged racket and several aides of the current Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap.

“Several of her aides have indicted her directly and indirectly. Investigators are looking into whether she was a beneficiary of the multi-billion-naira extortion racket,” the source said.

The allegations against the Comptroller-General remain subject to investigation, and no formal charge has been announced against her.

The source said the investigation had revealed that the alleged extortion network may have operated for years, possibly under successive Comptrollers-General of Immigration.

“It is an interesting but damaging case because we found out that the extortion of overstayers has been going on for several years under past CGs, some of whom appeared to have benefitted from the scheme,” the source said.

Investigators have reportedly identified a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration who has served at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for more than 10 years, a posting described by investigators as unusual.

A search of the officer’s apartment allegedly uncovered immigration stamps associated with various international airports across Nigeria.

The officer is also said to have maintained close relationships with successive Comptrollers-General, a development now being examined as investigators attempt to unravel the alleged structure and longevity of the racket.

“He is known to relate directly with all serving CGs. His admissions have been illuminating as he is the linchpin of the operation,” the source said.

The EFCC is also investigating the alleged use of proxies to conceal the proceeds of the racket.

Some individuals whose names were allegedly used to operate multiple bank accounts and acquire landed properties have reportedly told investigators that they acted as fronts for the suspects.

The commission is expected to scrutinise the assets, bank accounts and financial transactions linked to the suspects as it traces the alleged proceeds of the racket.

The investigation may also be widened to include some former Comptrollers-General of Immigration, who could be invited to clarify findings and authenticate admissions allegedly contained in written statements obtained from the suspects.

The EFCC has yet to publicly announce charges against the officers, while the investigation is ongoing.

However, one of the NIS officers, CSI O. Babatunde, said to be linked to the alleged visa overstay racket has denied any involvement in the scheme.

The officer, in a brief response to the allegations, said he had no connection with visa fraud or any related racketeering.

“I am not involved in a scam and do not have any visa scam issue, please. I was never invited for visa scam,” the officer said.

Others who were asked of their involvement, Dotun Aridegbe, Emmanuel Imaekhai, Bashar Suleiman did not respond to messages sent to their mobile line.

The denial by Babatunde, comes as the EFCC continues its investigation into the alleged visa overstay extortion network. The commission has not publicly disclosed the identities of all the officers being investigated, nor has it announced any charges in connection with the matter.

All allegations remain subject to investigation, and the suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.