NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT PROTESTS DEPORTATION OF 723 NIGERIANS FROM GHANA

The High Commissioner added further that,81 Nigerians are deported on alleged cybercrime and illegal stay in January, while 115 have so far been deported in February on the allegation of overstay and prostitution.

Penpushing further reports that, Abikoye frowned over the inhuman treatment meted out to   Nigerians in the foreign country, warning that any form of torture or ill treatment of Nigerians would not be acceptable to Nigerian Government.

However, the Commissioner declared that, the Commission would not condone any form of criminality on the part of Nigerians, stressing that inhuman treatment and alleged torture of some Nigerians in Ghana would no longer be tolerated.

“Although, the GIS had linked prostitution and cybercrimes as some of the reasons for the deportation, it is improper to deport Nigerians for alleged illegal stay in Ghana. There are several Ghanaians living in Nigeria and the Nigeria Immigration Service has never deported any of them on ground of illegal stay, because of a sense of brotherliness between our countries,” he said

Penpushing also reports that, the Ambassador, later, presented to the Controller General a copy of the Mission’s records on deportations of Nigerians from January 2018 till date, expressing displeasure that Nigerians were not being fairly treated.

The High Commissioner emphasised that there had been reported cases of molestation, harassment and torture of Nigerians by GIS officials, especially those awaiting deportation at the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS’s) detention facility.

Penpushing also reports that, the Ambassador showed photos of some of them who sustained injuries on their legs, arms and eyes in the process of the torture, pointing out that the inhuman act was against the United Nations Convention against Torture.

The Ambassador appealed to the Comptroller-General to prevail on his officials to treat Nigerians and other ECOWAS nationals with human face, caution and not as common criminals, and also expressed displeasure on the long detention of Nigerians in the Ghana Immigration Service custody after proper documentation and issuance of Emergency Travel Certificate for their repatriation by the High Commission.

The High Commissioner while considering the poor state of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS’s) facility; stated that the Immigration should expedite action in their early repatriation to Nigeria immediately after the issuance of Emergency Travel Certificates.

Penpushing also reports that the Comptroller-General while responding acknowledged the existing bilateral relationship between the two countries as earlier pointed by  Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana

The Comptroller-General said  the Ghana Immigration Service are being compelled to carry out repatriation because of the conduct of some Nigerian nationals in Ghana, alleging  that besides engaging in cybercrime and prostitution, “some Nigerians had become laws in themselves; they do road blockages in major Ghanaian streets where they drink, fight and stab one another’.

“This unruly behaviour” which contravenes the local laws in Ghana has led to directive from higher authority for their arrests and eventual deportation of those who do not have the requisite immigration papers.”

Penpushing further reports that, the Comptroller-General promised to investigate alleged torture of some Nigerians, but showed the Ambassador a video of some Nigerians, obstructing justice by preventing the official vehicle of the Ghana Immigration Service the right of way after arresting a Nigerian in Kasoa area.