U.S.-based clergy stranded in Lagos over misplaced green card

•Laments severe hardship, seeks U.S. intervention

An American-based Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Prelate, Bishop Kenneth Obi has sent a Save our Soul message to the American Ambassador in Nigeria,Richard M. Mills Jr,for the quick resolution of his inability to return to his family in Atlanta due to a misplaced green card that has kept him stranded in Nigeria.

The bishop who arrived Nigeria on February 18, from Atlanta for the Edo COGIC I7 anniversary via the Delta Airline, said he was not allowed to return on March 20, because he misplaced his green card.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, the clergy, who had lived in America for over 40 years, said the sole purpose of his visit to Nigeria was for the church’s 17 years anniversary, which started on February 19.

“And having completed the traditional anniversary, which ended on February 21, I proceeded to the one in Imo State, where we celebrated our 20th anniversary.

“The anniversary started on March 5 and ended on March 9. So, having completed the reasons for coming home, I decided to go back on the 19th. I had a return ticket.

“On March 12, I discovered that I cannot find my physical green card, of which I have the copy on my phone.
“So, when I couldn’t find my physical green card, I made inquiries as to what to do. I was asked to go to the police and make a report.

“Immediately I went to the police in Imo State to make a report, the police said I needed to get an affidavit from the court.

“I got an affidavit from the court on March 12, went back to the police to get the complete police extract.

“So having done this, with a copy of my green card attached, I came to Lagos to board my flight. Unfortunately, the flight was cancelled on March 19, so I met with one of the managers of the airline, Mr Abdul.

“I explained to Mr. Abdul my situation, how I came previously to let him know my situation, and they sent me to the embassy.

“So I went to the embassy to explain my situation. The security, seeing that I had a valid, un-expired green card, said the airline should be able to board me,” he explained.

The bishop explained further that he returned to Mr. Abdul, who advised him to come back the next day to board the next flight. He stated that when he came back to board the flight on March 20, some representatives of the Airline frustrated him as they refused to board, insisting that he must get a travel document from the embassy.

According to him, when he went back to the embassy to explain to them the situation, he was told that if the Airline cannot board him, then he needs to begin the process of getting travel documents.

The clergyman, who brandished the police extract, court affidavit and the e-copy of his green card valid to 2039, lamented that the process of getting travel documents will take between a month and three, leaving him with no date to travel. He lamented that it is un-American to frustrate him as he had a family in the U.S. that is in need of him.

According to the bishop, his continuing stay in Nigeria, where he has no business is going to bring untold hardship to him and to his family.

“This is very frustrating. I believe that there is a need for this press conference so that the American ambassador will understand and be notified that people’s cases are different.

“I believe that my case is different because I’ve been living in the U.S. for over 40 years. I’ve been a green card holder for more than 38 years. So I’m very, very frustrated.

“I’m stranded here, and this is going to bring untold hardship to me and my family.”

I’m just confused right now, and I’m hoping that somebody with the appropriate authority can do something about my going back as soon as possible,” he said.

Asked when he saw the lost green card last, he said it was in Atlanta before he boarded, when he presented the credit card he used to purchase his ticket as he needed to pay another $100 for his luggage.

The Bishop said he has also called the airport in Atlanta to know if they have found the green card and he was told that after two weeks they will transfer whatever they have found.

When The Guardian tried to find out from officers of the Airline why they refused to board him without presenting the physical green card, they said the Airline risked being fined $30,000 and they also feared risking their jobs.

The Bishop, who is still stranded in the hotel along Airport Road, Ikeja, asked the authorities to come to his aid as his family risked being thrown out of the house if he couldn’t go back to settle bills.