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Court fines immigration N3m over failure to issue applicant’s passport within six weeks

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A federal high court in Abuja has ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to pay N3 million as damages to Benita Ezumezu for failing to issue her international passport within the stipulated six weeks.

The court also ordered Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, and the NIS to ensure that applicants who meet all the requirements are issued Nigerian passport within six weeks in compliance with section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, gave the order while delivering judgment in a fundamental human rights suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/75 filed by Ezumezu.

Ezumezu approached the court after waiting several months to get her passport, which she applied for in October 2022.

In the judgment delivered on December 4, Nwite granted all the eight reliefs sought by the applicant.

The judge held that the failure of the NIS and the minister (sued as first and second respondents) to issue a passport to Ezumezu within six weeks despite providing valid documents violated all known local and international laws on personal liberty and freedom of movement of the applicant.

“That this honourable court hereby declares that a Nigerian passport is an official identity document that affirms the bearer’s citizenship and is issued to a bonafide Nigerian primarily for the purpose of travelling out of Nigeria and returning to Nigeria in exercise of rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement,” Nwite held.

“That this honourable court hereby declares that as of October 6, 2022, the applicant had fulfilled all the requirements for the issuance of a Nigerian passport and was therefore qualified to be issued a passport forthwith and not exceeding six weeks from that day.

“That this honourable court hereby declares that the non-issuance of a Nigerian passport to the applicant 14 weeks after the applicant had met all the requirements, including submitting the application, payment of approved fees, and biometric enrolment, constitutes a contravention of section 9(4) of the Immigration Act, 2015, as it relates to the issuance of an international passport forthwith.

“That the honourable court hereby declared that non-issuance of a Nigerian passport to the applicant 14 weeks after the applicant had met all the requirements. including submitting an application, payment of approved fees, and biometric enrollment constitutes a contravention of the applicant’s right to freedom of movement guaranteed under Section 41 of the CFRN 1999 (as amended) and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

“That this honourable court hereby declares that the non-issuance of a Nigerian passport to the applicant 14 weeks after biometric enrolment had occasioned both monetary and professional losses to her.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the 1st respondent to issue the applicant’s passport forthwith as stipulated in section 9(4) of the Immigration Act, 2015.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the 1st respondent to pay the sum of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00) only to the applicant as general damages for all the losses incurred by the applicant resulting from her inability to travel for her professional duties.

“That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the 2nd respondent to ensure adherence of the 1st respondent to the issuance of a passport as stipulated in Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act and not exceeding the 6 weeks announced by the 2nd respondent and published by the 1st respondent on its website.”

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Lagos State government seals Coca-Cola, FrieslandCampina, Guinness factories over regulatory non-compliance

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The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO) has sealed the factories belonging to Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, and Guinness Nigeria for extracting groundwater for commercial purposes without proper authorisation.

Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos, Olowu Babatunde, director of technical services at LASWARCO, said the commission had been engaging with the three companies for over seven years, but they had either partially complied or failed to comply with regulations, prompting enforcement action.

“We operate a law that empowers us to regulate most of these heavy abstractors in Lagos State,” Babatunde said.

“Abstractors are individuals or entities that extract large quantities of groundwater for commercial purposes.

“So, these companies that we have sealed, basically three of them – Coca-Cola, FrieslandCampina and Guinness, abstract water in large quantities.

“And we have been engaging them over time. At least, I have been here for more than seven years now. We’ve been engaging these companies for more than seven years now.

“Some, either they do partial compliance, or some don’t comply at all. So, now that we started implementation of our regulation, we now compel them to fulfil all their regulatory demands.”

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Dele Farotimi regains freedom after meeting bail conditions

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Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate, has been released from the correctional centre in Ekiti state after meeting his bail conditions.

Farotimi was released on Tuesday morning.

Last Friday, a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti granted Farotimi N30 million bail with two sureties.

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, had ruled that the two sureties must be “responsible citizens in the society”, and one of them must own a house within the jurisdiction of the court.

The defendant was asked to leave his international passport with the court.

Farotimi would also not grant media interviews during the pendency of the case.

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Yuletide: Lagos state government sets up task force to tackle noise pollution

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The Lagos State Government has cautioned residents against noise pollution, especially during the Yuletide season and beyond.

A statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday noted that the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, alongside the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency., Dr Babatunde Ajayi, highlighted the government’s measures to curb excessive noise and safeguard public health.

“The Lagos State Government is committed to a zero-tolerance policy on noise pollution, particularly during the Yuletide season and beyond.

“The government has put proactive measures to curb excessive noise and safeguard public health.

“We acknowledged that the festive season brings heightened celebrations and activities that often lead to increased noise levels.

“But we have to prioritise the health and well-being of Lagos residents by reducing noise pollution”, he said.

Wahab added that to ensure compliance with noise regulations, the government had established a Special Task Force on Noise Pollution under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency.

According to him, the task force, which includes members of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps and the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, will monitor, arrest, and prosecute violators.

Wahab acknowledged that the festive season brings heightened celebrations and activities that often lead to increased noise levels.

He reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on noise pollution, saying there was a need to prioritise the health and well-being of Lagos residents by reducing noise pollution.

He warned that unregulated noise poses significant health and environmental risks, which the government would not tolerate.

The commissioner stated that it had become a must for establishments such as worship centres, nightclubs, lounges, and bars to obtain permits from LASEPA for public events involving amplified sound. These venues are required to operate within soundproofed and enclosed spaces to protect neighbouring residents.

He noted that in January 2025, the government would begin intensified public awareness campaigns to educate residents on acceptable noise levels and the benefits of a quieter environment.

Wahab said that collaboration with stakeholders, including religious organisations, business owners, the entertainment industry, and event planners would be a priority.

“Plans are also in place to recognise and reward individuals and organisations that demonstrate exceptional compliance with noise regulations, fostering a culture of responsibility and sustainability” the commissioner assured all.

He commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, for their leadership in promoting environmental sustainability and a healthier Lagos.

He assured residents that the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources would continue to implement policies aligned with the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda to create a cleaner, quieter, and safer Lagos.

Wahab urged Lagosians to join hands with the government in achieving a noiseless and peaceful Lagos, expressing gratitude to the press for their role in raising awareness of government initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for all residents.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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