FG shuts France, Belgium, Italy visa centres in Abuja – Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

FG shuts France, Belgium, Italy visa centres in Abuja

Published

3 weeks ago

on

FG shuts France, Belgium, Italy visa centres in Abuja

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the visa application centres of France, Belgium, and Italy in Abuja following a consumer complaint and alleged obstruction of investigation.

The centres, located at Mukhtar El-Yakub House in the Central Business District, were shut down on Thursday by FCCPC operatives, accompanied by personnel from the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. According to the FCCPC, staff of the visa centres resisted the enforcement exercise.

Director of the Surveillance and Investigations Department at the FCCPC, Mrs. Boladale Adeyinka, said the action was taken after the centres failed to acknowledge a letter sent by the Commission regarding an ongoing investigation into a consumer complaint.

She explained that the sealing was also due to obstruction of official investigation and the provision of services suspected to be harmful to consumer welfare.

She stated, “This is an enforcement operation against TLS. As you are aware, they provide visa support services to Nigerian consumers.

“On the 25th of March 2025, based on a consumer complaint, a letter was served on them to address the consumer complaint, as is the process of amicable resolution of consumer complaints at the commission.

READ ALSO:

“The officers of TLS, rather than receive the consumer complaint, proceeded to assault our officers who were conducting the lawful duty of protecting and implementing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA).”

Adeyinka added that the FCCPC subsequently summoned the company to appear before it under Section 33 of the FCCPA.

“Upon receipt of that report, the commission directed that they should be summoned to appear before the commission pursuant to Section 33 of the FCCPA.

“Rather than receive the summons of the commission, officers of TLS again on June 17, proceeded not only to assault our officers but also assaulted uniformed officers of the police force who were providing lawful security for the operations of the commission,” she said.

She cited Section 33 of the FCCPA, which stipulates that “any person who, without sufficient cause, fails or refuses to appear before the commission in compliance with a summons commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or fine not exceeding ₦20 million or both fine and imprisonment.”

Adeyinka noted that the company will be held accountable for any losses or expenses incurred by visa applicants due to the closure.

Despite requests for comment, the management of the company did not respond.

The visa centres are operated by TLS Contact, a Teleperformance company.

 

FG shuts France, Belgium, Italy visa centres in Abuja

NAN

Related Topics:
Advertisement

metro

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

Published

1 hour ago

on

July 9, 2025

By

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

– No transit visa for 18-45-year-old

UAE imposes fresh travel conditions on Nigerians

Continue Reading

metro

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

Published

3 hours ago

on

July 9, 2025

By

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

The United States Department of State on Tuesday announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nigeria said effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

The statement, however, said that those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.

The US was earlier considering imposing a visa ban on Nigeria.

READ ALSO:

“We wish to underscore that, as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity,” the statement published on its website said.

The US visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of US immigration systems, it stressed, adding, “These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.

It said that the US Mission was working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria could meet the criteria.

“Nigerian travellers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date,” it said.

Nigerians to get 3-month single-entry US visa under new policy

Continue Reading

metro

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Published

3 hours ago

on

July 9, 2025

By

University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Tragedy struck in the Choba area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend when a pregnant 300-level student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), identified as Cynthia Chukwundah, allegedly burnt her boyfriend, Sunny Amadi (32), to death.

While the exact circumstances leading to Cynthia’s actions are unclear, some neighbours told Daily Trust it might have resulted from a minor argument between the couple.

It was gathered that the deceased is the father of the child Cynthia is carrying.

Residents of the area reported that Cynthia, who fled the scene immediately after the incident, was later arrested by the police operatives and she is also receiving treatment for burns she sustained during the incident.

The incident, which occurred a few minutes after 11pm, saw some public-spirited neighbours rush the deceased to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment, where he unfortunately died.

The police spokesperson in Rivers State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.

She stated that Cynthia is currently receiving treatment at a hospital due to injuries sustained during the incident.

READ ALSO:

Due to her critical condition, she is currently unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so once her condition is stable.

SP Iringe-Koko’s statement read:

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

“According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from Elibrada community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries.

‘’He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

“Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, police detectives from Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim, who was in critical condition at the hospital. ‘’Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.

“The police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident.

‘’She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child. Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident but will do so when her condition is stable.

“The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Further developments will be made public as more information becomes available.”

Pregnant 300-level student accused of setting boyfriend ablaze

Continue Reading

Trending