EFCC clears Nandap, Immigration CG of visa racketeering probe

… confirms cases against some officers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed reports suggesting that Kemi Nandap, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), is under investigation over alleged visa racketeering, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The anti-graft agency clarified that while it is prosecuting and investigating some immigration officers over alleged visa fraud, Nandap has no connection whatsoever with any of the ongoing cases.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, following media reports and online insinuations linking the immigration chief to an alleged visa overstay racketeering investigation.

According to the commission, it has no case against the Comptroller-General and urged the public to disregard reports suggesting otherwise.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is aware of reports in the media about alleged visa racketeering involving some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, especially subtle insinuations about the assumed investigation of the Comptroller-General of the Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap.

“The commission wishes to state unequivocally that it has no case with the Immigration CG,” the statement said.

The EFCC, however, confirmed that criminal proceedings are already ongoing before the Federal High Court against some Nigeria Immigration Service officers accused of alleged visa fraud.

It added that investigations into the alleged fraud have not been concluded and could lead to the arraignment of additional immigration officers found culpable.

“There are subsisting cases of alleged visa fraud against some immigration officers at the Federal High Court.

“Further investigations are ongoing, with the possibility that more NIS officers could be arraigned for alleged fraudulent practices in the near future. However, the Immigration CG is not remotely connected to these investigations,” the commission stated.

The anti-corruption agency also appealed to journalists and media organisations to verify information directly with the EFCC before publication to prevent the dissemination of inaccurate reports capable of misrepresenting the commission’s activities.

The clarification follows allegations linking senior officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service to an ongoing EFCC investigation into an alleged visa overstay racketeering scheme.

The allegations centre on claims that some immigration officers collected money from foreign nationals who overstayed their visas instead of enforcing penalties stipulated under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025.

Under the policy, foreign nationals who remain in Nigeria beyond the validity of their visas are liable to pay a penalty of $15 for each day of overstay, alongside other administrative sanctions where applicable.

While reaffirming its commitment to investigating and prosecuting anyone found to have engaged in fraudulent visa practices, the EFCC stressed that the ongoing investigations do not involve the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.