A Delta State-based man, Mr Samuel Akpoku, has been allegedly defrauded by one inspector, Sunday Okoh attached to Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Headquarters in Abuja.
The victim, Akpoku said he had allegedly paid about N225,000 to the inspector to renew his Nigerian passport.
He explained thus: “I contacted Inspector Okoh to renew my old passport and correct my date of birth. And he quoted a total fee of ₦180,000, as follows: ₦110,000 for a 64-page 10-year booklet, ₦30,000 for the date of birth correction, and ₦40,000 for personnel processing fees,” he said
He said he was introduced to the inspector by one of his colleagues, Mr.Gideon Tobechukwu for the passport renewal, and thereafter “transferred the money to his Polaris bank account, and he confirmed receipt and that the process had begun.
“Surprisedly, when I received an appointment slip for biometric capturing, Inspector Okoh assured me that he would provide the payment slip upon my arrival at NIS Abuja headquarters.
“Upon my arrival, he claimed to have forgotten the slip at home and assured me that his wife will bring it. but this turned out to be a lie as the time for my appointment approached.
“Inspector Okoh told me to print the payment slip at a business center within the office complex. it was a shock, when the payment slip indicated payment for a 32-page 5-year booklet, contrary to our initial agreement.
“He claimed it was a mistake and that it would be corrected at the printing stage even when i doubted it but proceeded with the enrollment process.
Akpokun said when he checked he was informed that his payment was incomplete but Okoh had instructed him to claim it was a new passport to avoid issues.
“After the enrollment, Inspector Okoh demanded an additional ₦40,000 for express processing, which I transferred to his Polaris bank account,” he said.
“When I return to Asaba, I contacted him for an update, only to be told that the error could not be corrected, and refused to send my passport until I paid an additional ₦5,000 for courier services.”
Also speaking on the issue, an Activist for Young Nigerian Rights Organization, Mr Victor Ojei said he had already petitioned the Minister of Interior over the alleged passport racketeering
He called on the interior minister to treat this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
When contacted, Inspector Okoh said, “I’m listening to you, is that why you are calling me.”
