Nigerians abroad write EFCC, SGF, ministry over alleged corruption in embassy

Over 50,000 youths risk jail, death in Germany
The Nigerian Youth Movement of Switzerland has written the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate alleged corruption by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Bern.

In a petition signed by its leader, Irydaer Omobude, titled: The Nigerian Embassy In Bern Stinks In Corruption, it urged the Federal Government to recall Ambassador Baba Madugu and Mrs. Kemi Amuda immediately.

The group noted that it had notified the Nigerian Embassy of their activities in a letter dated January 24, 2020, but regretted that till date, the embassy had not replied the letter.

Lamenting that most Nigerians in the country have lost confidence in the embassy, he said, “The Embassy introduced a closed-door policy against the Nigerian community, calling the Swiss police to harass Nigerians and stop them from coming to the embassy.

“The Embassy in Bern under Ambassador Baba Madugu uses the Swiss police to intimidate, threaten, coerce and violently remove Nigerians on appointment at the embassy whenever they request for passport or other services, which they paid for.

“It also receives monthly salary for a security officer that was never employed. Many contracts and purchases are highly inflated with the active participation of third parties,” the group alleged.

Similarly, representative of foreigners in the Hessen State of Germany, Eddy Duru, has urged the Nigerian government to formulate policies that would mitigate irregular and unplanned youths migration abroad.

Duru, who is founder of RARDUJA International, a non-governmental organisation, stated this in Owerri, Imo State, at a reception organised for Chukwuka Onyegesi, who was stranded in Jakarta, Indonesia but was rescued.

The German lawmaker disclosed that over 50,000 Nigerian youths, especially from Imo, Edo, Kogi, Benue, Lagos, Oyo and Rivers states were languishing in jail and being mistreated in Europe, America and Asian countries.

He said, “In 2016, over 602, 000 youths embarked on irregular migration of which about 27, 000 died at sea and in the desert.

“Many were sold into slavery, prostitution and drug peddling, while others were wasting away in detention. As we speak, over 50, 000 are in similar situations,” he added.