A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that applicants who meet all the necessary requirements for international passports receive them within six weeks. The court emphasized that this timeline is achievable as it aligns with Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued this ruling in a fundamental rights enforcement case filed by Benita Ngozi Ezumezu, who had applied for a Nigerian passport and met all requirements by October 6, 2022. Despite this, she claimed that the NIS failed to issue her passport even after 14 weeks.
In his judgment on December 4, Justice Nwite dismissed the respondents’ arguments, upheld Ezumezu’s claims, and granted her all the reliefs she sought. The judge awarded N3 million in damages to Ezumezu and ruled that by October 6, 2022, she had fulfilled all necessary requirements and was entitled to receive her passport within six weeks.
Furthermore, Justice Nwite declared that the respondents’ failure to issue Ezumezu her passport, 14 weeks after meeting the requirements, violated Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015 and her right to freedom of movement. He ordered the NIS to issue the passport immediately, as required by the law.