The United States government has issued a stern warning to Nigerian travellers about the severe consequences of overstaying their visa, emphasising that violators could face permanent bans from re-entering the country.

The US Mission in Nigeria posted the warning via its X on Monday.

The immigration authorities clarified that consular officers can access an individual’s full immigration history, making it nearly impossible to avoid penalties for past violations.

They further emphasised that travellers are responsible for adhering to the terms of their visa and that ignorance of visa regulations will not be accepted as an excuse.

“If you overstay your US visa, you could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States. Consular officers have full access to your immigration history and will know about past violations. There is no such thing as an ‘honest mistake’ – it is your responsibility to use your visa correctly,” the US Mission stated.

It is learnt that those who overstay their visa for more than 180 days but less than a year may face a three-year re-entry ban.

If the overstay exceeds one year, the penalty could be a 10-year ban.

Repeat offenders or those with serious violations risk a permanent lifetime ban.

Since the return of Trump as US President, America has become stricter with its immigration policies.

On February 16, 2025, the Federal Government raised serious concerns about the deportation of its nationals from the United States, urging Washington to adhere to international conventions and ensure a dignified repatriation process.

During a meeting with the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasised the emotional and financial strain these deportations are placing on Nigerians in the US and their families back home.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted that “about 201 Nigerians are currently detained in US immigration centers, with around 85 cleared for deportation,” adding that the government was advocating for a more humane approach to the process.

“With the new US administration in place, we expect commitments to ensure that, if repatriation occurs, it will be done with dignity,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further pointed out that many Nigerians in the US play a crucial role in supporting their families back home through vital remittances, which help sustain their livelihoods and fund their education.

She noted that these deportations, especially for those with no violent criminal history, should not be sudden or traumatic.

“We are asking as a country whether they will be given ample time to handle their assets or will they just be bundled into planes and repatriated?” she questioned.

Nigerian singer, Abdulazeez Fashola aka Naira Marley has urged the court to probe Omowunmi, the wife of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad and about 14 others who were present at the singer’s house 48-72 hours before his death.

Naira Marley’s lawyer, Olusola Okuwobi, in a statement sent to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, stated that the singer made this known via a virtual testimony he gave on Friday before Ms T.A. Shotobi of the Coroner Court in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

According to him, Naira Marley claimed that he was out of the country at the time of Mohbad’s death.

He also quoted the singer as saying that he had no animosity towards the late Mohbad.

The statement read, “Azeez Adeshina Fashola aka Naira Marley testified before the court virtually giving his precise and succinct testimony. Naira Marley testified that at the time of Mohbad’s unfortunate death, he was out of the country.

“He further stated that he had no animosity towards Mohbad before his death, he related the status of the contract that subsisted between his good self and the deceased. Naira Marley urged the coroner to look away from the suspects presented by the police and social media and look into interrogating Omowunmi and the 14 others who were present at the house 48-72 hours before the unfortunate passing of the singer.”

Okuwobi also stated that Naira Marley accused those present during the deceased’s final moments of attempting to evade responsibility by circulating an old video.

He noted that they were aware the deceased had previously apologised for the video and had been forgiven before leaving the record label.

Naira Marley’s testimony came barely a week after the auxiliary nurse who treated the late singer testified before the coroner’s court.

Meanwhile, a group of Nigerians in the diaspora has called on the police to re-investigate the case.

The group under the auspices of The Concerned Nigeria Citizens in Diaspora in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Victoria Janolewsky-Peters, and seen by our correspondent on Sunday also seek a detailed investigation of the individuals present at Mohbad’s house, including his brother, Adura Aloba.

“We urge the men and officers of the Nigeria Police, homicide section to look into the direction Naira Marley has pointed at during his testimony under oath, we believe that it is important the police invite and grill Mohbad’s brother, Adura Aloba, including the wife of the deceased, Omowunmi, who is responsible for his wellbeing and has given multiple contradictory accounts of what happened as well as the other persons present at his home.

“Based on this testimony of the ex-label boss of the deceased, the Nigerian citizens in the diaspora beseech the men of the Nigeria Police Force to thoroughly re-investigate the case of the suspected homicide of Mohbad.”

MohBad died on Tuesday, September 12, at the age of 27.

The deceased, a former member of the Marlian Music record label, had, in multiple clips, alleged to have been assaulted by gangs sent by his former boss, Naira Marley, and his associate Samson Eletu, popularly known as Sam Larry.

The court in a ruling on February 25 however acquitted Naira Marley; alongside music promoter, Samson Balogun, better known as Sam Larry; Owodunni Ibrahim (Primeboy); and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde.

When reached for comment, Omowunmi’s lawyer, Taiwo Olawanle, requested that our correspondent send a text message.

The text messge sent thereafter had yet to replied to as of the time of filing this report.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztr41Z9dyXw

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reiterated its position that the removal of the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by President Bola Tinubu is unconstitutional and has called on the President to reverse that decision.

On Tuesday, the President declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending the governor, his deputy and all the members of the House of Assembly over the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.

The President appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s sole administrator.

Following up with its earlier statement condemning the action of the President regarding Rivers State, the NBA whose President, Afam Osigwe, was a guest on Sunday Politics, insists that Fubara must be brought back to his position as the governor of Rivers State as the constitution does not recognise a Sole Administrator.

“That is our belief, that is what we expect the president to do, to restore him (Fubara) back to power having unconstitutionally removed him,” Osigwe said on the programme when asked if the president should recall the governor.

“And that is why we do not recognise a sole administrator is the rightful person to occupy the government house in Rivers State having been appointed unconstitutionally.

“Even when I saw him taking oath of office, I was wondering which oath he was taking because he was taking an oath not known to the constitution, the constitution does not recognise an administrator.”

‘Political Solution needed’

Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that the problem in Rivers State is being cured with a wrong solution, likening it to one using a sledgehammer on his head because of headache.

According to him, the measure being taken to address the Rivers problem “are overreaching, extensive, undemocratic and above all, unconstitutional.”

He maintained that the problem in Rivers State is political and only a political solution will bring it to an end.

‘No constitutional gap’

There have been claims in some quarters that there was a gap in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution which President Tinubu used in taking the action in Rivers State, but the NBA president has refuted that, insisting that the Constitution is explicit enough.

“I do not believe that it (Section 305) is not explicit, I simply believe that we deliberately refuse to apply it the way it is,” Osigwe said.

The National Assembly has approved the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, but Osigwe does that believe that the lawmakers approval legitimized the President’s action.

He said that the National Assembly’s approval is like placing something on nothing.

The Association of Niger Delta Monarchs of Nigeria (ANDMON) has declared its full support for the federal government’s renewal of the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

The monarchs emphasized that the contract renewal comes at a crucial time when the region urgently needs enhanced oil production, reduced oil theft, and protection against pipeline vandalism.

Speaking at an interactive stakeholders’ meeting on amnesty, pipeline surveillance, and energy security in Abuja on Friday, the Chairman of ANDMON, King Frank Okurakpo, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for extending Tantita’s contract, noting that the company has played a vital role in curbing pipeline vandalism and ensuring the safety of critical oil infrastructure.

King Okurakpo highlighted Tantita Security Services’ unique approach of engaging local communities to protect oil assets, stressing that this strategy has significantly improved security across the Niger Delta.

“Mr. President has consistently put measures in place to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta,” the monarch said. “A clear example is the appointment of our son, Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, a technocrat, grassroots mobilizer, and champion of development, as the head of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

This appointment has gladdened the hearts of our people, and the programme is already recording remarkable success across the region.”

The traditional rulers also urged the federal government to increase budgetary allocations and ensure the timely release of funds to sustain peace and empower ex-agitators.

They argued that such measures would boost economic growth and social stability in the region. Additionally, the monarchs commended the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engineer Mele Kyari, for his leadership in commercializing the NNPCL and stabilizing fuel prices.

They noted that the recent reduction in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) is a testament to the NNPCL management’s efficiency.

The forum also called for unity among Niger Delta indigenes, urging them to support and ensure the successful implementation of federal government policies that directly impact the region.

“We must work together to ensure that all government initiatives aimed at transforming the Niger Delta are fully implemented. Only through unity and cooperation can we achieve long-term peace and development,” the monarchs stated.

They reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and prosperous Niger Delta.