EFCC Clears Immigration CG Kemi Nandap of Visa Fraud Probe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified that the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, is not under investigation over alleged visa racketeering, dismissing media reports linking her to the ongoing probe.

The anti-graft agency said on Tuesday that its investigation into alleged visa fraud remains focused on some officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, with criminal proceedings already pending against some of those being investigated.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, following reports suggesting that Nandap had been drawn into the investigation.

The commission described the reports as inaccurate and insisted that it had no case against the Immigration Comptroller-General.

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

The commission, however, confirmed that it is investigating alleged fraudulent practices involving some immigration officers and that the matter has already resulted in cases before the Federal High Court.

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

The EFCC further disclosed that its investigation remains active and could lead to the arraignment of additional officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

“Further investigations are ongoing with the possibility that more NIS officers could be arraigned for alleged fraudulent practices in the near future,” the agency said.

The commission's clarification effectively draws a distinction between the ongoing investigation into alleged visa fraud within the immigration service and the position of Nandap, who it said is not a subject of the probe.

The EFCC did not provide further details about the officers currently facing prosecution or the specific allegations contained in the cases pending before the Federal High Court.

The agency's statement comes amid heightened scrutiny of alleged fraudulent activities surrounding the processing and issuance of visas, an area that has attracted increased attention from law enforcement authorities.

The EFCC urged media organisations and journalists to verify information directly with the commission before publishing reports concerning its investigations and enforcement activities.

The commission said seeking clarification would help prevent inaccurate reporting and ensure that individuals who are not subjects of investigations are not wrongly linked to criminal allegations.

“The media is enjoined to always seek clarifications on the activities of the EFCC to avoid misrepresentation of facts,” the agency said.

For now, the commission maintains that its visa fraud investigation is focused on some NIS officers and that further prosecutions remain possible as investigators continue their work.

The EFCC's position also makes clear that, contrary to reports linking her to the probe, Immigration Comptroller-General Kemi Nandap is not currently under investigation by the anti-graft agency in connection with the alleged visa fraud cases.