Indications have emerged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is investigating an alleged visa overstay racketeering in the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.
It was gathered that five officers of the Service, including a Deputy Comptroller, have been quizzed as part of the ongoing probe.
Sources in the EFCC explained that the racketeering scheme has been going on for a long time, dating back to several previous NIS Comptroller-Generals but only recently came to light. According to them, the scheme involves alleged extortion of huge sums from foreigners who overstayed their visas, in order to allow them to remain in the country illegally.
The practice violates provisions of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, through which the Federal Government introduced a new penalty system to deter visa abuse. According to provisions of the policy, foreigners who overstay their visa will be fined $15 for each day they remain in the country after their visa has expired.
Sources said EFCC operatives are investigating senior immigration officers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the NIS headquarters, Abuja.
Ongoing investigations have reportedly uncovered a bank account containing about N700 million and several multi-billion naira estates linked to the officers under investigation. It was gathered that the properties were acquired through proxies. However, some of the proxies were said to have claimed that their names were used to operate multiple bank accounts and acquire landed property.
It was gathered that several of the officers under investigation work with
