NIS Rolls out ePassport for Nigerians in America – Newstrends
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NIS Rolls out ePassport for Nigerians in America

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Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

The Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has commissioned the enhanced ePassport for Nigerians in the United States of America. The event held at the Nigerian House in Washington DC.
2. Speaking at the event, the Minister enjoined Nigerians in the United States desirous of obtaining fresh Passport or those for re-issue to visit the Service portal via passport.immigration.gov.ng to apply and pay for the Passport categories of their choice. He restated Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to making access to Passport for eligible Nigerians especially those in the Diaspora as seamless as possible. He maintained that the decision to roll out the enhanced ePassport in the United States is very strategic particularly to meet up with the increasing demand for Passport and especially the ten-year validity Passport.
3. Earlier, the Comptroller General of Immigration Isah Jere Idris stated that with the roll out, the Service is optimistic that cases of delay in processing Passports will be adequately addressed and so advised applicants to abide strictly by the application and processing guidelines and requirements as contained on the Service’s application portal passport.immigration.gov.ng. ‘‘We expect applicants to turn in their requests in good time to allow for a smooth and successful service delivery stressing that applicants are expected to complete their forms online, make payment and book appointment for biometric enrollment and only visit the Missions on their appointment dates. This is expected to allow for planning thereby reducing applicants’ waiting period and speed up the process among others in line with global best practice’’ he stressed. He maintained that the National Identification Number (NIN) is mandatory for the processing and issuance of the enhanced ePassport.
The CGI further noted that as part of efforts to improve applicants’ experience in the process, the Service has provided a status tracking system (track.immigration.gov.ng where applicants who have applied and enrolled can conveniently track the status of their applications in the comfort of their homes and offices.

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He assured Nigerians who have applied and enrolled for the harmonized Passport before now, that concrete arrangements have been put in place to expedite the delivery of their Passports within the shortest possible time. He noted that the stock to take care of the backlog has been provided for assuring that applicants who left mailing envelopes shall begin to receive their Passports soon.
4. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Uzoma Emenike lauded the Minister for the feat especially the introduction of the ten-year validity Passport category to the menu. She assured that the Nigerian House will continue to deepen reform efforts with a view to improving the quality of service delivery to Nigerians in the United States.
5. The enhanced ePassport is unique in many respects and these include polycarbonate data page, laser engraving, multiple laser image; showing the data of birth of the holder in another window on the data page among other additional twenty five security features. It comes in three categories and this gives opportunity for applicants to make choices. The categories are:
(i). the 32-page Five-year validity category;
(ii). the 64-pge Five-year validity category and;
(iii).64-page Ten-year validity category (for 18 years and above).
6. With this event, the Passport Issuing Centres in Atlanta, New York and Washington DC all in the USA have joined their counterpart in the UK as part of the foreign Centres that have been successfully migrated to the enhanced ePassport regime.
7. Important personalities such as the Consul General in Atlanta, Ambassador. Mrs.Amina Smaila Ahmed and her counterpart in New York, Ambassandor. Lot Egopija and some leaders of Nigerian communities in various parts of the United States attended the event.
eSigned
Amos OKPU mnipr
ASSISTANT COMPTROLLER OF IMMIGRATION
SERVICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION
7TH JULY 2022

PRNIGERIA

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Binance Executive drags NSA, EFCC to court, demands public apology

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Binance Executive drags NSA, EFCC to court, demands public apology

Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan has taken legal action against National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging violations of his fundamental rights.

In a filing dated March 18 and presented by his lawyer Olujoke Aliyu from Aluko and Oyebode Law Firm, Gambaryan sought redress before Justice Inyang Ekwo, requesting five reliefs.

Similarly, Nadeem Anjarwalla, Binance’s Africa regional manager who escaped custody on March 22, initiated a separate suit before Justice Ekwo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gambaryan and Anjarwalla, in the suits marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/356/24 and FHC/ABJ/CS/355/24, had sued the Office of NSA (ONSA) and EFCC as 1st and 2nd respondents.

Gambaryan, a US citizen overseeing financial crime compliance at the crypto exchange platform, alleged that his detention and the confiscation of his international travel passport violated Section 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution, constituting a breach of his fundamental right to personal liberty.

He further requested the court to order his immediate release and the return of his passport. Additionally, he sought an injunction preventing further detention related to any Binance investigations and demanded a public apology from the respondents, along with costs incurred.

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Gambaryan stated that he visited Nigeria on February 26 alongside Nadeem Anjarwalla, representing Binance, in response to invitations from ONSA and EFCC. Despite attending the meeting as requested, both were detained afterward without formal charges.

During the court proceedings, T.J. Krukrubo, SAN, representing Anjarwalla and Gambaryan, informed the court of the respondents’ absence despite being served. Krukrubo also mentioned their notice of withdrawal of legal representation for Anjarwalla, filed on March 26.

Justice Ekwo noted the withdrawal of legal representation and adjourned the matter to April 8 to allow the applicants to seek new representation and give the respondents an opportunity to appear.

In Gambaryan’s case, Krukrubo stated that although the processes were served on ONSA and EFCC, they still had time to respond. He requested an adjournment, indicating that the respondents’ deadline to file their applications would expire the following week.

Consequently, Justice Ekwo scheduled the next hearing for April 8 to continue proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government will arraign Binance Holdings Limited and its two top officials, Tigran Gambaryan and the fleeing Nadeem Anjarwalla, on April 4 on allegations bordering on tax evasion.

Binance, Gambaryan, and Anjarwalla, listed as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively, are expected to be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja on a four-count charge.

Anjarwalla, who had been in detention alongside Gambaryan, was said to have escaped from lawful custody. He escaped on Friday from the Abuja guest house where he and his colleague were detained.

Binance Executive drags NSA, EFCC to court, demands public apology

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FG shuts KFC outlet that ‘humiliated’ Gbenga Daniel’s wheelchair-bound son

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KFC outlet at MMIA, Adebola Daniel

FG shuts KFC outlet that ‘humiliated’ Gbenga Daniel’s wheelchair-bound son

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has shut down a branch of a popular food outlet, KFC, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos  State.

FAAN stated this on Thursday in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah.

The statement, titled, ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ noted that the food outlet violated the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, Section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination.

The statement added that the directive followed a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility who alleged discriminatory treatment he received at the airport.

It read, “In line with Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination which states that “A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person”, the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has closed the KFC facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with effect from March 28, 2024.

“This is as a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

“The MD/CE of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi, Kuku intervened swiftly by deploying a management team comprising the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah; the Regional Manager South West, Mr. Sunday Ayodele; Ag. General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo and the International Terminal Manager, Mr. Kerri, to investigate the allegation.”

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FAAN said, “It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred.

“The authority has instructed that the KFC Management should tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation.

“FAAN uses this medium to express our unreserved apology to the affected Passenger with Reduced Mobility and assures all airport users that we shall continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon.”

The victim of the maltreatment, Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

Daniel, a wheelchair user, described his ordeal as “the worst sort of public humiliation” he ever had.

The Ogun State-born noted that it all started during his planned trip to  London from Lagos via a Virgin Atlantic airline.

He stated that in years past, while he was quite familiar with security and immigration processes, being a frequent traveller, he would visit the Oasis lounge of the airport to wait for his flight.

However, because “the lift to the lounge has been out of service,” for the past three years, he decided to find “solace” at the KFC outlet in the airport, alongside his wife and his three brothers, whom they were travelling together.

“Today I chose KFC – what a colossal mistake,” he bemoaned.

His tweets partly read, “Being disabled often rolls over my spirit, leaving behind a trail of shattered dignity and forgotten humanity. Nowhere more so than in Nigeria.

“I have never been the type of person to make a fuss or complain about my disability. My approach has always been ‘laissez-faire.’ Ultimately, it is what it is. It is a part of my identity and like everyone else, I have my days of self-doubt and confusion as to how/if I fit in society.

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“To be disabled in Nigeria is to be undesirable, unwelcome and unaccepted. As I’ve said before, it’s a lonely, scary and isolated place.

“Never has this been more true than it has ever been today when I faced the worst sort of public humiliation that I have ever experienced. To think that this happened at an international brand @kfc @kfcnigeria at an international airport – Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos – is unthinkable.”

Daniel stated that he “arrived at the airport as normal for my Virgin Atlantic flight to London. I’m a frequent flyer and I’m extremely familiar with all due processes at Murtala Muhammed Airport. Years ago, after all security and immigration formalities had been completed, I would normally go to the Oasis lounge to wait for my flight.

“For the past three years, the lift to the lounge has been out of service so I’ve often found solace in other establishments, sometimes lounges, sometimes restaurants such as @kfc @kfcnigeria.”

Daniel stated that as they were about to sit, a lady who is “apparently the manager” called out loudly, “No wheelchairs allowed.”

He added that upon hearing what she said, one of his brothers, Taiwo, asked what the lady meant, but “she refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at @kfc @kfcnigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.

“My siblings and wife became instantly irate and proceeded to debate her position with her, ultimately cumulating in raised voices and strong verbal protests. If there’s one thing I hate more than anything in this life is to create a scene. I detest it. I do not like to draw attention to myself and as such I began pleading with my people that we should just leave.

“My wife took some video footage and my brothers took some pictures. There were at least five other witnesses at the scene, who tried to intervene as things unfolded. Eventually, our party departed to another lounge upset and quite frankly pissed off.”

Daniel stated that he wouldn’t let such an incident slide, adding that as another of his brothers alongside his wife met the lady at another time, she stressed “that the business does not allow wheelchairs into their premises,” while they took an audio record of her statement.

He recalled the lady saying that “she recently just transferred to that branch, it is something that has been drummed into them.

FG shuts KFC outlet that ‘humiliated’ Gbenga Daniel’s wheelchair-bound son

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DHQ declares prof, 7 others wanted over killing of soldiers in Delta

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DHQ declares prof, 7 others wanted over killing of soldiers in Delta

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has declared eight persons wanted including a professor over the brutal killing of 17 soldiers and officers in Okuama community of Delta State.

Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur; a woman, Mrs Igoli Ebi; Reuben Baru; Akata Malawa David and four other persons

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, announced this on Thursday at a briefing in Abuja.

Buba urged traditional rulers and other stakeholders particularly in the Niger Delta to help in fishing out the wanted suspects.

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