Recent news about a woman tearing her husband’s passport upon his return to Nigeria has spotlighted the regulations surrounding Nigerian passports.
Many Nigerians might be unclear about what actions constitute an offence concerning this crucial national document.
The Nigerian passport is governed by specific laws that are not always well understood. It is, therefore, important to understand common offences related to Nigerian passports, as detailed in the Immigration Act 2015.
Here are five key regulations regarding Nigerian passports that you may not be aware of:
1. Forgery and Fraudulent Use: Under the Immigration Act 2015, any form of forgery or fraudulent use of a Nigerian passport is a criminal offence. This includes falsifying information or using a passport obtained through deceitful means.
2. Unlawful Possession: Possessing a Nigerian passport without proper authorization or holding multiple passports illegally falls under prohibited conduct. The Immigration Act stipulates that each individual is entitled to only one valid passport at a time.
3. Destruction of Passport: Deliberate damage or destruction of a Nigerian passport is an offence. This includes tearing, mutilating, or otherwise rendering the passport unusable, which is considered a violation of passport regulations.
4. Misuse of Illegal Activities: Using a Nigerian passport to engage in illegal activities, such as trafficking or other criminal enterprises, is a serious offence. The passport should only be used for lawful purposes in accordance with Nigerian and international laws.
5. Failure to Report Loss or Theft: If a Nigerian passport is lost or stolen, the law requires that the loss or theft be reported to the relevant authorities promptly. Failure to do so can result in penalties or legal complications, as it is essential to prevent misuse of the lost or stolen passport.
Anyone convicted of committing any of the aforementioned offences may face a penalty of up to ten years in prison or a fine of two million naira or both.
