Court Mandates Interior Minister, NIS to Expedite Passport Issuance within Six Weeks

A major legal development unfolded in Nigeria on Wednesday as the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a landmark ruling concerning the issuance of international passports.

The court ordered the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that applicants who meet all necessary requirements are issued their international passports within six weeks.

This directive was part of a judgment delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite in response to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Benita Ngozi Ezumezu, an aggrieved Nigerian citizen.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/75/2023, highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerians in obtaining international passports, a critical document for travel and personal identification.

Benita Ezumezu had applied for her passport on October 6, 2022, fulfilling all stipulated requirements. However, despite her compliance, the NIS failed to issue her the passport even after 14 weeks, prompting her to seek legal redress.

Justice Nwite's judgment underlined the importance of adhering to Section 9(4) of the Immigration Act 2015, which mandates timely issuance of passports to qualified applicants. The court found the respondents' failure to issue the passport within the specified timeframe to be a violation of both the Act and Benita's right to freedom of movement.

Consequently, the court awarded N3 million in general damages to Benita, emphasizing the judiciary's role as a protector of citizens' rights against inefficiencies in government service delivery.

This ruling serves as a reminder to government ministries, departments, and agencies about the consequences of poor service delivery. It highlights the judiciary's capacity to remedy losses incurred by citizens due to inadequate services. The judgment also reinforces the notion that public service providers must uphold high standards of service, especially when such services are tied to fundamental rights.

The case has broader implications for the Nigerian public, as it sheds light on the systemic issues within the NIS and other government bodies responsible for service delivery. Despite some improvements in recent months under the current administration, the case of Benita Ezumezu reflects the ongoing struggles many Nigerians face when dealing with government agencies.

Citizens' Common (CC), a civil society group and Benita's employer, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision. Olalekan Oshunkoya, CC's Chief Executive, praised the judiciary for upholding justice and emphasized the need for improved service quality from the NIS. He noted that the organization's interest in the case extended beyond Benita's employment, focusing on the broader issue of declining service standards within the NIS.

The court's decision is seen as a victory for all Nigerians who have experienced delays and frustrations in obtaining essential documents like passports. It sets a precedent for holding government agencies accountable for their service delivery and reinforces the judiciary's role in safeguarding citizens' rights.