Published 23rd Oct, 2022

By Sodeeq Atanda

Following a story published by FIJ, the Benue State command of the Nigerian Immigration Service has printed and issued Benjamin Iornder Gesah’s passport delayed for several weeks.

Gesi told FIJ that the passport was printed on Wednesday and given to him the following day.

“I am glad to tell you that my passport was printed yesterday (October 19) and I was notified this morning to show up to collect it. Right now, my passport is in my possession,” he said.

He also said that at the point of collection, the officials handling the application apologised for the delay and its attendant inconveniences.

“I am most appreciative of your effort which led to this level of success. I have to state without mincing words that my indebtedness will remain to FIJ for a long time,” he said.

FIJ reported on October 5 the challenge Gesah was facing in getting his passport renewed by the NIS officials in Makurdi.

He had accused the immigration officers of deliberately delaying his application, telling him there was a shortage of booklets.

“On Monday, September 28, I went back again and they still claimed that there was unavailability of booklets nationwide,” he said.

He told FIJ that an officer within the NIS in Makurdi had confided in him that booklets were only being issued to those who could pay beyond the official amount.

He said the delay could cost him his PhD application to a foreign university, as the passport was germane to the application process.

This report was produced with support from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability project (CMEDIA) funded by the MacArthur Foundation

Share on Social Media