Yemi Badru, a Nigerian immigration officer, found himself embroiled in a career-threatening ordeal when he refused to compromise immigration protocols to favour a senior officer.

But little did he know his stance would mark the beginning of a downward spiral in his career.

THE BEGINNING

Badru’s predicament started on July 31, 2019, when he declined to bypass immigration procedures at the request of Nasir Umar Mohammed. In response, Umar, in a fit of anger, repeatedly struck Badru, causing him to suffer a nosebleed.

“I told him the signal was poor. At the time, I had 37 applicants at my desk. I suspected that he wanted to help an applicant avoid waiting in line. So, I told him I was still going to do my job regardless. But he didn’t like the statement,” Badru told FIJ.  

READ MORE: Immigration Transfers Officer, Denies Him Promotion for Following Due Process in Passport Issuance

Following the assault, the Lagos State Command of the NIS reached out to Badru with a letter requesting his forgiveness of Umar. The command also recommended a three-week suspension for Umar, but this penalty was never enforced.

Along the line, the incident received coverage in The Punch and The Guardian newspapers, and this got the NIS incensed.

“On seeing that, I discussed with lawyers who worked at the National Industrial Court in Lagos. The court ruled that they should not touch the subject matter, but they did not listen.”

For taking the matter to court, the NIS transferred him from Ikoyi to Abuja.

“In the transfer letter, they wrote that I had requested to be transferred and, as a result, I would not get any allowance. It was also stated in the letter that I enjoyed my annual leave. Since then, I haven’t written a promotional test or been promoted,” Badru said.

PROMOTION, DENIAL AND FAVOURITISM

Badru alleged that his name had been omitted from four promotion eligibility lists since his transfer in 2019, while his assailant, Umar, had been promoted multiple times.

READ MORE: Immigration Denies Officer Promotion 3 Times for Following Due Process in Passport Issuance

In fact, Badru said, Umar recently ascended to the rank of Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, while he remained in the same position he was in 2019.

“As of the time he assaulted me, he was just a level 11 officer, who as of that time, was a superintendent of immigration, while I was a level 10 officer,” he said.

“We were employed at the same time; we only started on different levels because I came in as an HND holder and he a BSc holder. I was denied. They said we are both facing disciplinary action, but they took offence because I reported to the police.”

NIS SHIELD UMAR

Efforts to hold Umar accountable have faced significant obstacles, despite the Ministry of Justice filing two charges against Umar, including assault.

Badru also went to the Public Complaints Commission to see how they could help him get justice, and they assured him that they would take action.

In August 2021, Badru met with an investigative team in Panti, Lagos, where they demanded N50,000 to investigate Umar, his assailant.

READ MORE: Immigration Officer Umar Mohammed Was Suspended in 2019 for Slapping a Colleague. Till Date, he Hasn’t Served It

Two months after, the team in Panti are unwilling to give him the findings of their reports and is reluctant to arrest Umar on the orders of the Ministry of Justice.

The NIS’ discipline and awards department has also displayed reluctance to prosecute Umar, with an official stating that they would not release him to face trial.

CALLS FOR ACTION AND UPHOLDING PUBLIC SERVICE RULES

Badru has made pleas to various authorities, including the head of the service of the federation and the federal civil service commission, to enforce public service rules and suspend Umar pending the resolution of the criminal trial. But no action has been taken to address this violation of regulations within the NIS.

FIJ called Adepoju Carol Wuraola, Acting Comptroller General of Immigration Service, for comments on the issue but she did not respond. A text message was sent to her, but she had not responded at press time.