·Five officers quizzed over N700m account, multi-billion-naira property trail
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
What began as an allegation by a female officer of the (Nigerian Immigration Service) has snowballed into a major financial investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with investigators probing an alleged visa-overstay extortion network believed to have operated for several years.
At least five serving immigration officers, including a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, have reportedly been questioned in the investigation, which is said to have uncovered approximately N700 million in the account of one suspect and properties worth billions of naira allegedly acquired through third parties.
The investigation has brought under scrutiny the handling of foreigners who remain in Nigeria after the expiration of their visas, particularly the manner in which penalties and other payments are allegedly collected.
