ICPC SEIZES 372 INTERNATIONAL PASSPORTS

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ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission said it seized 372 international passports from several persons and agents.The recovery the commission said is part of an ongoing clampdown on corruption-prone processes in the acquisition of visas.

A statement by the Resident Consultant, Mr. FoluOlamiti said the Commission has directed owners of the recovered passports to appear at its headquarters, located at Plot 802 Constitution Avenue, Zone A9, Central Business District Area, Abuja between 19th and 28th February 2014 from 10am to 3pm each day, excluding weekends.

“The affected persons are to come along with proof of ownership and the travel documents supporting their visa applications to respective embassies to collect their passports,” the statement said.

ICPC operatives had in October 2013, arrested 18 suspects in Abuja and Lagos. Three of them were allegedly involved in the production of fake documents to satisfy visa requirements, while one was in possession of suspicious travel documents.

Others were either arrested with forged documents or for allegedly colluding with someone in India to procure a fake invitation letter from an Indian Hospital.

“Culpable ones have since been arraigned in courts.ICPC had initiated several arrests after receiving an ever increasing number of petitions from prospective students seeking educational placement and patients seeking medical attention abroad who were duped by some agents,” it said.

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