…Calls for diplomatic review of expenses incurred by Pretoria
By Dennis Agbo
Former Enugu State House of Assembly member and former South-East spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has rejected a reported demand by the South African government for Nigeria to reimburse about R292 million ($18.5 million) in expenses allegedly incurred in repatriating foreign nationals.
Onoh, in a statement issued from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, described the demand as a matter that should be subjected to diplomatic and legal review, arguing that costs incurred by South African authorities in managing immigration-related operations should not automatically be transferred to other sovereign governments.
His reaction followed reports that South Africa had approached Nigeria, Malawi and Ethiopia over expenses associated with the accommodation, transportation and repatriation of foreign nationals during recent immigration enforcement operations.
