The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Commission Musa Aliyu, has assured the British High Commission of the Commission’s continued support in tackling visa racketeering in Nigeria.
Aliyu stated this when he received Coran Oakley, the International Liaison Manager of the Home Office International Operations in the British High Commission, Abuja.
The ICPC boss stated that he was aware of the existing working relationship with the High British Commission and promised that the ICPC would always be prepared to continue to work with the High Commission noting that the collaboration would be given priority under his leadership.
He further opined that the ICPC was mindful of how hard it was to tackle corruption especially as it concerns issuance of visas stressing that “the Commission is ready to work with the High Commission to checkmate the criminals involved in visa racketeering”.
The ICPC Chairman, who expressed his happiness about the visit, promised the guest that the Commission would ensure that he gets the required staff that have the capacity and integrity to carry out this very important assignment.
He further said that both organisations would seek further avenues to work together in other areas that would be mutually beneficial.
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In his remarks, Oakley said that he was in ICPC to seek further collaboration that they started some years ago.
Furthermore, he stated that he came to seek the Commission’s help in going after organised immigration crime elements behind the visa scams by arresting and prosecuting them.
The International Liaison Manager said that the relationship with ICPC would be a long-term one that would make it quite hard for criminals to target innocent Nigerians and make it a lot easier for the citizens to get British visas.
The visitor informed the ICPC boss that he would require some officers who would be adequately trained and specially tasked with investigating on issues surrounding British visa fraud that may involve other countries like Germany, France, and Canada as they all have similar problems.
He added that the ICPC team to be put together would have a member from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as a point of contact adding that this would ease the flow of information between the two agencies by getting documents smoothly, and also reduce delays.
The Commission had previously engaged in strategic interventions on visa issues resulting in arrests, prosecutions, and convictions of several persons, thereby earning ICPC commendations from Embassies and High Commissions in Nigeria, including those of the British, USA, India amongst others.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
