The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating an alleged multi-billion-naira visa overstay extortion racket within the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), with at least five serving immigration officers, including a Deputy Comptroller, questioned over their alleged involvement.
The probe, which reportedly spans the tenures of several former Comptrollers-General of Immigration, has uncovered about N700 million in the bank accounts of one suspect, while investigators are tracing multi-billion-naira estates allegedly acquired through proxy owners by another officer.
The investigation centres on allegations that immigration officers extorted foreign nationals who overstayed their visas by illegally collecting or diverting payments meant for the government.
The development comes amid the implementation of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, which imposes a penalty of $15 per day on foreigners who remain in the country after their visas expire.
Investigators are said to be focusing on immigration personnel serving at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and the NIS headquarters in Abuja.
Among those reportedly questioned are Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Bashar Suleiman of the Lagos airport, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Musa Abubakar of the Abuja airport, the Principal Staff Officer to the Comptroller-General, Chief Superintendent of Immigration Dotun Aridegbe, and two personal aides to the Comptroller-General, Assistant Comptroller of Immigration Emmanuel Imaekhai and Assistant Superintendent of Immigration O. Babatunde.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the probe was triggered by information supplied by a female immigration officer who allegedly exposed the scheme.
According to one source, investigators subsequently examined the financial activities of several immigration officers and their associates.
“We opened an investigation into the visa overstay racket after a female immigration officer blew the lid on the racketeering,” the source said.
The source further alleged that investigators were examining whether aides to the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, had links to the alleged extortion network and whether the Comptroller-General benefited from the scheme.
However, no formal charges have been filed against the Comptroller-General, and the allegations remain under investigation.
Investigators also believe the alleged racket may have operated for several years under successive leaderships of the Immigration Service.
“It is an interesting but damaging case because we found out that the extortion of overstayers has been going on for several years under past Comptrollers-General, some of whom appeared to have benefitted from the scheme,” the source alleged.
The EFCC is also examining the activities of a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration who reportedly served at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for more than a decade—a posting investigators described as unusual.
During a search of the officer’s residence, investigators allegedly recovered immigration stamps linked to various international airports across the country.
The officer is also alleged to have maintained close ties with successive Comptrollers-General, with investigators describing him as a key figure in the suspected operation.
“He is known to relate directly with all serving Comptrollers-General. His admissions have been illuminating as he is the linchpin of the operation,” the source claimed.
The anti-graft agency is further investigating allegations that proceeds of the racket were concealed through proxy bank accounts and property acquisitions.
Some individuals allegedly used as fronts for bank accounts and landed properties have reportedly informed investigators that they acted on behalf of the suspects.
The commission is expected to scrutinise the financial records, assets and property holdings linked to those under investigation and may extend the probe to former Comptrollers-General of Immigration to clarify findings and authenticate statements obtained from suspects.
The EFCC has yet to announce any criminal charges, stating that investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, one of the officers named in the investigation, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration O. Babatunde, has denied any involvement in the alleged visa overstay racket.
“I am not involved in a scam and do not have any visa scam issue, please. I was never invited for visa scam,” he said.
Other officers contacted for comments, including Dotun Aridegbe, Emmanuel Imaekhai and Bashar Suleiman, did not respond to enquiries.
The EFCC has not publicly identified all officers under investigation or disclosed whether charges will be filed.
All allegations remain under investigation, and those named are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
