FG Denies Report Of Passport Racketeering In France

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has denied reports making the
rounds that its Embassy in France is involved in passport
racketeering.

In a press statement, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Ferdinand
Nwonye, said there was no iota of truth in the report. “For the
records, the Embassy of Nigeria in France is not engaged in such
act.

The fee for passport applications, which is the equivalent of
106 USD, is the same at Nigerian Missions worldwide.

The information on the current charges and official procedure
for services at the Embassy are well publicised.”

In line with the current regulations in the Embassy, Nwonye said
Nigerians are expected to book for their appointments through this
medium and only those with confirmed appointments are attended
to.

He further warned Nigerians to avoid dealing with anyone outside
the Embassy or engage in any unofficial procedure when applying for
passport or any other consular services as “the Embassy has not
engaged any agent or third party individuals to liaise with
Nigerians when seeking appointments for its services and no one is
expected to pay any hidden charges for services rendered at the
Embassy.”

He also said “it is pertinent to state that in the aftermath of
the COVID-19 measures and the surge in the number of applicants who
book for appointments, the Embassy currently has online passport
applications bookings until the end of March, 2021, which are being
treated expeditiously.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has denied reports making the
rounds that its Embassy in France is involved in passport
racketeering.

In a press statement, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Ferdinand
Nwonye, said there was no iota of truth in the report. “For the
records, the Embassy of Nigeria in France is not engaged in such
act.

The fee for passport applications, which is the equivalent of
106 USD, is the same at Nigerian Missions worldwide.

The information on the current charges and official procedure
for services at the Embassy are well publicised.”

In line with the current regulations in the Embassy, Nwonye said
Nigerians are expected to book for their appointments through this
medium and only those with confirmed appointments are attended
to.

He further warned Nigerians to avoid dealing with anyone outside
the Embassy or engage in any unofficial procedure when applying for
passport or any other consular services as “the Embassy has not
engaged any agent or third party individuals to liaise with
Nigerians when seeking appointments for its services and no one is
expected to pay any hidden charges for services rendered at the
Embassy.”

He also said “it is pertinent to state that in the aftermath of
the COVID-19 measures and the surge in the number of applicants who
book for appointments, the Embassy currently has online passport
applications bookings until the end of March, 2021, which are being
treated expeditiously.”