Immigration Boss Orders Arrest Of Ministry Staff Over Alleged Forgery

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, has ordered the arrest of a staff of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Maikudi Haruna, for alleged forgery.

The Public Relations Officer of the NIS, Deputy Controller Sunday James, revealed this in a statement on Sunday.

Haruna, a Senior Protocol Officer was said to have forged documents meant for the procurement of a Nigerian Passport.

He was accused of conspiring to forge the official Identity Card and signature of a former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on a letter issued to one Abubakar Mustapha Bida to procure “Official Passport”.

He was alleged to have collected N250,000 for the deal, knowing fully well that the person was not a government official.

Following the development, Haruna was brought before Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he was charged with conspiracy, making false statement for the purpose of procuring Nigerian passport and engaging in forgery.

According to TheEagle Online report, Babandede advised prospective applicants seeking Nigerian passport to avoid false declarations, forgery and use of fake breeder documents.

He urged everyone to follow due process by applying and make payment online to avoid patronising touts.

According to the CGI, if caught, both the procurer and the applicant would be prosecuted in accordance with the provision of the law.