The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has raised fresh concerns over the security of Nigeria’s passport system, urging the Federal Government to close loopholes that could allow multiple or irregular passports to be issued.
HURIWA’s call follows an investigation ordered by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, into the alleged issuance of a second Nigerian passport to Abuja-based realtor, Rebecca Godwin-Isaac.
The controversy centres on allegations that Godwin-Isaac obtained another passport after reporting an earlier one missing, even though the first document was reportedly still in the custody of the Federal High Court.
HURIWA said the case should not be treated merely as a dispute involving an individual applicant, arguing that it raises wider questions about how Nigeria tracks passports issued, cancelled, reported missing or surrendered to courts.
The group also pointed to Tunji-Ojo’s recent admission that foreigners may be using Nigerian passports to commit crimes abroad, describing the development as a serious national security concern.
Speaking on Arise Television, the minister said the use of Nigerian passports by non-Nigerians was causing international embarrassment and called for stronger verification of citizenship.
“The embarrassment that we get as a country by people who are not Nigerians carrying Nigerian passports is out of this world,” Tunji-Ojo said.
The minister disclosed plans for applicants to upload certificates of origin for verification by Document Verification Officers operating across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
He said the verification system would help establish the citizenship of applicants before Nigerian passports are issued.
But HURIWA said stronger verification should also cover existing passport records and court orders.
The group asked whether the Nigeria Immigration Service has a central mechanism capable of immediately detecting that an applicant already has a valid passport or that a previous passport is being held by a court.
The questions emerged after lawyers representing the Yesufu family petitioned the Interior Ministry over Godwin-Isaac’s alleged second passport.
The lawyers said her earlier passport, B00485650, had been reported missing or stolen before another passport, B51450551, was allegedly issued.
They also alleged that the second passport was processed through a “non-appearance/no-show” procedure, which they said meant the applicant was not physically present for biometric capture.
The Interior Ministry has begun examining the complaint.
At a meeting with the lawyers on September 4, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, reportedly said officials would examine NIS records to establish how the disputed passport was issued.
The lawyers have also given the NIS 30 days to respond to their complaint, warning that they may seek legal remedies if the agency fails to act.
HURIWA wants the Federal Government to conduct a wider audit of passport issuance, including biometric records, replacement applications, cancelled documents and passports deposited with courts.
It also called for disciplinary or criminal action against immigration officials found to have breached established procedures.
The association said the credibility of Nigeria’s passport goes beyond international travel, arguing that weaknesses in the system could have consequences for national security and the country’s international reputation.
HURIWA therefore urged the Interior Ministry to publish the outcome of its investigation and use the case to identify and permanently shut any loopholes discovered in the passport system.
Godwin-Isaac is standing trial alongside her husband, Isaac Ishaku, Richard John and two companies, Homadil Realty Limited and Rychado Homes Limited.
The defendants are facing charges in two Federal High Court cases involving alleged land fraud, forgery and money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleges that the defendants collected more than N500m from victims between 2023 and 2024 over disputed properties in Guzape and Katampe, Abuja.
The defendants have denied the allegations.
The court had granted them bail and ordered them to deposit their travel documents.
The trial is scheduled to continue on October 26.