NiDCOM: Ekene Chukwuma India Detention Over Visa Overstay Claims

• Nigerian citizen Ekene Vitus Chukwuma was detained in India in December 2025 for alleged visa overstay.
• The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) asserts that Chukwuma's passport expired in 2020 and he remained in India without valid documents.
• Chukwuma reportedly disputes NiDCOM's account, including claims about his family's return and a previously issued Emergency Travel Certificate.
• NiDCOM emphasizes that irregular migration is an offense that harms the image of law-abiding Nigerians abroad.
• The Nigerian High Commission has requested a new six-month amnesty for other Nigerians illegally residing in India to depart without penalties.

The commission firmly stated that remaining in a foreign country with an expired passport and without valid documentation, even for business, constitutes visa overstay and is considered an offense.

Ekene Vitus Chukwuma, a Nigerian national, was detained in India in December 2025, facing allegations of Nigerian visa overstay India. He is currently held at the Lampur detention camp in Delhi. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has publicly addressed the circumstances surrounding his detention, refuting claims that it misrepresented the facts of the case.

NiDCOM maintains that Mr. Chukwuma's Nigerian passport expired in 2020, and he continued to reside in India without proper documentation. This status, according to the commission, led to his arrest for visa overstay. However, reports indicate that Mr. Chukwuma disputes NiDCOM's earlier narrative, specifically challenging the assertion that his wife and three children had returned to Nigeria while he remained for business purposes. He also reportedly contested the claim that he had previously been issued an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) during an amnesty program but chose not to use it, alleging instead that he did not receive an ETC until May 2026, approximately six months after his initial arrest.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission policy underscores strict adherence to immigration laws. In response to the controversy, NiDCOM emphasized that Mr. Chukwuma's immigration status could not be overlooked. The commission firmly stated that remaining in a foreign country with an expired passport and without valid documentation, even for business, constitutes visa overstay and is considered an offense.

NiDCOM further criticized the portrayal of Mr. Chukwuma as a victim without acknowledging his irregular migration status. The commission argued that such narratives unfairly stereotype the vast majority of law-abiding Nigerians who travel and reside abroad legally. This stance highlights the broader implications of irregular migration consequences Nigeria faces in terms of its international image.

The process for deportation proceedings India Nigerian citizens face is managed by India's Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which is responsible for clearing individuals before their repatriation. The Nigerian High Commission plays a crucial role in this process by issuing new Emergency Travel Certificates (ETCs) to those cleared for deportation, upon receiving official requests from Indian authorities.

NiDCOM previously stated that Mr. Chukwuma had been issued an Emergency Travel Certificate India by the Nigerian High Commission during an earlier amnesty period, intended to facilitate his return home. However, he reportedly did not utilize this document, allowing it to expire before his subsequent arrest. In a broader effort to assist other Nigerians in similar situations, the Nigerian High Commission has also requested a new six-month amnesty period, which, if granted, would allow Nigerians residing and working illegally in India to depart without incurring penalties. NiDCOM reiterated its commitment to addressing genuine cases of Nigerians in distress abroad, while consistently urging citizens to abide by the laws of their host countries.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious irregular migration consequences Nigeria and its citizens can face when immigration laws are not respected. NiDCOM has consistently used its platform to advocate for regular migration, explicitly stating that an irregular stay is a criminal offense. The commission warns that such actions not only jeopardize the individual involved but also negatively impact the collective image of all Nigerians who diligently follow international regulations.

By emphasizing the importance of legal compliance, NiDCOM aims to protect the reputation of law-abiding Nigerians in the diaspora. The commission's firm stance underscores the global challenges associated with undocumented residency and the imperative for all citizens to maintain valid travel and immigration documents in their host countries.

This case underscores the strict enforcement of immigration laws in host countries like India and NiDCOM's firm stance against irregular migration. Lawyers advising Nigerian clients abroad must emphasize rigorous compliance with visa and passport validity to avoid detention and deportation, as authorities are unlikely to intervene if legal status is compromised. Compliance officers should note the potential liabilities and reputational risks associated with employees or clients who overstay visas, even if claiming business reasons.

Source: Original reporting via Fawzi Kehinde