The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned an official of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Yemi Badru, who accused the agency of victimisation after he was allegedly assaulted by a senior official, Nasir Umar.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Badru, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration, had a disagreement with Umar on July 30, 2019, when he was working at the VIP unit of the Ikoyi Passport Office.
Umar, who was a Superintendent of Immigration then, reportedly walked into Badru’s office and accused him of being slow.
Badru claimed that he tried explaining that there was a network issue, but the senior officer allegedly insulted him.
He noted that Umar allegedly rained slaps on him and punched him during the disagreement.
Badru lamented that despite being the victim, the NIS had victimised him.
He said all the committees set up by the agency did not indict Umar, adding that the leadership of the agency refused to honour requests by the police to release the suspect for prosecution.
He further alleged that the NIS refused to allow him to sit his promotional examination despite being qualified.
Several efforts by Badru, including a petition to the National Assembly in September 2019, did not yield any result until PUNCH Metro reported the matter.
Badru, on Sunday, sent a copy of the summons to our correspondent.
In the letter, the committee expressed readiness to hear the petition, which was written by Badru three years ago.
The committee asked Badru to appear on Wednesday, December 14, at 2pm.
The letter read in part, “Whereas the above named petition is now pending before this committee and the particulars of the petition aforesaid are already within your knowledge and whereas the petition has been assigned to be heard by the committee for determination.
“You are hereby required to note sections 88 and 89 (C) of our constitution (as amended) and appear in person before this committee on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, around 2pm or so, soon thereafter as the committee shall direct: please bear in mind the NCDC protocols.”
Reacting, Badru said the National Assembly summoned him three years after he petitioned its committee.
He said, “The report by PUNCH really assisted in getting justice for me. It was because of your report that the House of Reps saw that this matter is a national matter that must be resolved.
“I believe the reps will be neutral and do justice to all parties and especially save me, who is the victim, from becoming an accused.”
