NIS SAYS PASSPORT ISSUED TO REBECCA GODWIN-ISAAC 4 MONTHS BEFORE HER COURT RESTRICTION

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has clarified the circumstances surrounding the issuance of a Nigerian passport to Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, following questions concerning her travel documentation.

In a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, the NIS said passport number B51450551 was issued to Mrs Godwin-Isaac on 15 February 2025, approximately four months before her arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

According to the Service, Godwin-Isaac had applied for the reissuance of her previous passport and fulfilled all the applicable requirements before the new passport was issued.

The NIS explained that, at the time the passport was processed, it had not received any court order, watchlist instruction or other lawful restriction prohibiting the issuance of the document or restricting her international travel.

The Service therefore noted that the subsequent court order directing her to deposit her passport was issued after the passport had already been obtained.

NIS also confirmed that its records indicate that Godwin-Isaac subsequently travelled to Rwanda, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The Service said no formal travel restriction concerning her had been communicated to it during the relevant period.

The Immigration Service stressed that passport issuance is subject to established legal and administrative procedures and that its actions in this case were based on the information and lawful instructions available to it at the time.

NIS further pledged to cooperate fully with any lawful investigation into the matter and provide relevant records and documentation where required.