NIDCOM says Nigerian detained in India refused opportunity to return

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has provided information on the detention of a Nigerian, Ekene Chukwuma, at the Lumpur detention camp in Delhi, India, following his arrest over visa overstay.

In a statement issued on X on Wednesday, the commission said Mr Chukwuma was arrested last December after overstaying his visa and refusing to use the Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) initially provided to allow him to exit the country without penalties

The agency issued the statement in response to a request made by Arise TV journalist Rufai Oseni, who had brought Mr Chukwuma’s case to the commission’s attention and sought assistance over his continued detention in India.

NiDCOM said Mr Chukwuma’s passport expired in 2020 and that the Nigerian High Commission in India had previously issued him an ETC to facilitate his return to Nigeria during an amnesty period.

However, Mr Chukwuma sent his wife and three children back to Nigeria but remained in India to conduct business.

The agency said he chose to stay despite not having proper documentation.

“He was issued an ETC by the Nigerian High Commission to allow him to return home during the amnesty period. However, he chose not to use the ETC and sent his wife and children back home, while he stayed behind,” NIDCOM said

The commission also said Mr Chukwuma, however, did not use the ETC issued to him and remained in India until he was arrested.

The document also expired while he was in detention.

But Mr Chukwuma has denied this account of his detention, according to a follow-up post by Mr Oseni.

“That’s a false report; why are they putting this lie in my head?” he was quoted as saying.

He argued that he had sent back his family before getting amnesty and that he was in detention when he received the ETC.

“I stayed almost 6 months inside a deportation camp before getting my ETC. If I had gotten my ETC earlier, I would’ve booked my flight with the little funds I had at the time.

“But they don’t give it unless you pay 35,000 rupees,” he said.

However, NiDCOM said the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), the body responsible for processing and clearing individuals facing deportation in India, insists detainees must first be checked and cleared by Indian authorities before they can be deported.

Several Nigerians have been cleared, while others, including Mr Chukwuma, are still in detention awaiting deportation.

“The High Commission of Nigeria in India will then issue an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) to them after receiving the request for deportation concerning those to be deported,” NIDCOM said.

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The commission said the Nigerian High Commission in India is monitoring Mr Chukwuma’s situation as well as that of other Nigerians facing deportation.

It disclosed that the mission had requested another six-month amnesty for Nigerians residing or working illegally in India, enabling them to leave the country without paying penalties.

“The Nigerian High Commission would continue to monitor the situation of Ekene and hundreds of other deportees as the Mission has requested another round of six months’ amnesty for those Nigerians residing and working illegally in India to leave without any payment of penalties,” it noted.