Former governor of Rivers State Peter Odili has dragged the Nigeria Immigration Service before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the seizure of his passport.
According to Mr Odili, his passport was seized by the immigration officials on June 20, 2021, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his return from a medical trip to the United Kingdom.
The ex-governor urged the court to compel the NIS to release his passport, arguing that he had not done anything to warrant the seizure of his passport.
He also wants the court to order the NIS to issue a written apology for the act.
The NIS, however, in a counter affidavit, said Odili’s passport was seized because he was on the watch list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The NIS also said the seizure was the result of collaborative efforts by security agencies.
It noted that the former governor had not demanded his passport or inquired into the reason for the seizure.
In court on Wednesday, lawyer for the NIS Jimoh Adamu told the court that he had opposed Odili’s suit by filing and serving a counter-affidavit as required by law, seeking an adjournment to put his house in order.
Odili’s lawyer Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) did not object to the application for adjournment.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned the matter to September 28.
