A recent graduate of the Ebonyi State University has accused the Nigerian Immigration Passport Office in Jos, Plateau State, of boldly engaging in corrupt practices.

The graduate, who asked not to be named, told FIJ that he had expected to get his passport without hurdles at the office after an online registration but was disappointed.

He said that an official told him to pay an additional N5,000 when he visited the passport office on July 6 for capturing but he did not immediately give in.

“They told me I had to pay an extra N5,000 for service. I told the officers that it was wrong, given that what they requested was at odds with what is on their website,” he told FIJ.

He said the immigration officials told him anyone who visited had to pay the N5,000 fee because they needed it to run the office.

READ ALSO: At Abeokuta Immigration Office, ‘No One Gets a Passport Without Giving a Bribe’

But what stunned him the most was the officers’ bold declaration that they encouraged people to come with cash to register at the office.

“The officials said the N5,000 was for the office to buy diesel and obtain a booklet. They also said they encouraged people to come and register in their office for N25,000 instead of the N17,000 online,” he said.

“They even asked me why I did not come directly to register in their office, but I explained that I knew I could register online and come for capturing.”

He said that the officials told him they would instead advise people to come to their office to do the passport registration because this would prevent them from requesting another N5,000.

READ ALSO: In Kwara, ‘Immigration Officers Only Issue Passports to Those Willing to Pay Bribes’

“They said they were collecting a service charge from me because I registered online. This is not fair because the immigration service has advised Nigerians to register online and then go for capturing to limit interference with its staff,” he said.

“It’s not fair. Others have complained about the same thing. They are swindling Nigerians. I had to pay because I needed my passport to be processed.”

When FIJ called Amos Okpu, the Nigerian Immigration Service spokesperson, he said that people promoting unscrupulous practices are not immigration staff.

He stated that the immigration laws were firmly against bribery.

“Anyone asking for payment is indeed not working with Nigerian immigration. Let the source give us the name of the officer. We would like to know why and how he’s collecting money,” he said.