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.
The probe is also examining whether an organised network of officials and associates unlawfully profited from overstayers and used bank accounts, proxies and property acquisitions to conceal the alleged proceeds.
A source familiar with the matter said the EFCC opened the investigation after a female immigration officer allegedly provided information about the suspected racket.
The information reportedly triggered a review of the financial activities and relationships of officers connected to immigration operations at key entry points and the NIS headquarters.
“We opened an investigation into the visa overstay racket after a female immigration officer blew the lid on the racketeering,” the source said.
The investigation is being conducted at a time when the government has introduced a formal penalty regime for visa overstayers.
Under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, foreigners who remain in the country beyond the validity of their visas are required to pay a penalty of $15 for each day of overstay.
The EFCC is now examining whether the official penalty system was allegedly exploited by individuals who demanded or collected funds outside approved procedures.
The investigation reportedly covers immigration operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and the NIS headquarters in Abuja.
Among those said to have been questioned are Assistant Superintendent of Immigration Bashar Suleiman, who serves at the Lagos airport; Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Musa Abubakar, of the Abuja airport; and Chief Superintendent of Immigration Dotun Aridegbe, the Principal Staff Officer to the Comptroller-General of Immigration.
Also named in connection with the questioning are Assistant Comptroller of Immigration Emmanuel Imaekhai and Assistant Superintendent of Immigration O. Babatunde, both said to be personal assistants to the Comptroller-General.
Investigators are said to be following a financial trail that includes bank accounts, landed properties and alleged proxy arrangements.
Investigators are said to be following a financial trail that includes bank accounts, landed properties and alleged proxy arrangements.
According to the source, approximately N700 million was found in the account of one of the suspects.
The investigation has also reportedly identified several estates worth billions of naira which were allegedly acquired through individuals believed to have acted as fronts for the actual beneficiaries.
Some of the people whose names were allegedly used to operate bank accounts or acquire property are said to have told investigators that they acted on behalf of the suspects.
The EFCC is expected to examine the financial transactions associated with the accounts and assets as it attempts to determine the origin of the funds and identify the beneficiaries.
One of the officers under investigation is a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration who has reportedly served at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for more than a decade.