CSOs raise alarm over alleged ill treatment of Nigerians at Greece embassy

Demand probe by lawmakers
 
A coalition of 148 civil society organisations (CSOs), under the auspices of Citizens Rights Advocate (CRA), has tasked the House of Representatives Committees on Diaspora, Foreign Affairs, and others, with investigating allegations of ill-treatment against Nigerians at the Embassy of Greece in Abuja.

The group also called on the Greece Ambassador to Nigeria, Ioannis Plotas, to investigate alleged nefarious activities going on at the consular section of the embassy.

The coalition alleged that Nigerians with genuine visa applications are indiscriminately denied visas by the consulate, including political office holders.

Executive director of the coalition, Hammed Saheed, who made the allegations in Abuja, yesterday, called for immediate redeployment of the Head of the Consular Section of the Greece Embassy in Nigeria, Ioannis Nikolaidis.
  
He said: “Nigerians who visit Greece Embassy for genuine business or to process their visa are treated like criminals under the leadership of Mr. Nikolaidis.

“This is pathetic and sad. The United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights of 1948 advocates the protection of the fundamental rights and freedom of every human being. The embassy is currently violating such rights.”
  
He decried the breach of fundamental rights and failure to reverse the trend. He said while some Nigerians are referred to as criminals at the embassy, others are accused of possessing fake documents.
  
“It is so sad that Nigerians are not treated with dignity in their own country. They chase many Nigerians out of the embassy, like criminals and touts,” Saheed said.
  
He called on the Ambassador to quickly address the situation, cautioning that if this is not immediately addressed, it could jeopardise Nigeria’s bilateral relationship with Greece.