The Acting Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu has called on the Nigeria Immigration
Service, NIS, to brace up and support the EFCC in tackling illegal
Bureau de Change operators in Rivers State.
Magu made this call on Thursday, April 4, 2019 in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State through the Port Harcourt’s Zonal Head of the EFCC, Mr.
Abdulrasheed Bawa, while on a Courtesy Visit to the Comptroller of
Immigration, Rivers State Command, I. U. Panshekara.
According to him, many high-end Bureau de Change operators in Rivers
State are foreigners operating illegally in the State and breaching
extant rules on currency and foreign exchange transactions.
We have credible reports that many high-end Bureau de Change operators
in Rivers State are foreigners and are operating illegally. We are
worried about this. Some of your men are said to be giving them covers
and we feel we should draw your attention to this. This development is
being exploited by fraudulent elements to commit crimes. This should
not be allowed to continue, he said.
He also appealed to the Immigration Service to guide against re-
issuance of Passports to suspects facing trial in courts.
Owners of seized passports are always seeking ways to get them re-
issued. This is worrisome and we want your Service to guide against
this, he added.
In his response, the Comptroller said that his Service was already
cracking down on illegal Bureau de Change operators in the State by
reviewing their documentation.
Those without documentation are being dealt with. We are aware and we
are on ground.
The Comptroller also promised that suspects seeking re-issuance of
their passports cannot succeed with the Immigration Service because we
will always work with you in this regard. We welcome any request you
may forward to us for assistance, he assured.
Bawa sought more cooperation from the Immigration Service stressing
that the Service had useful roles to play in the task of fighting
economic and financial crimes.
He reminded the Comptroller of the whistle-blowing policy of the
government and appealed that the Service joined hands with the EFCC in
ensuring the success of policy.