Corruption allegation against Nigeria Union false, says Anyene

Port Harcourt - The Nigeria Union in South Africa on Wednesday described as false the allegation of corruption levelled against it and the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg. The President of the Union, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, said in a statement sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) from Pretoria, South Africa, that the allegation by an online publication was untrue. NAN reports that an online medium had accused the Nigerian Union of charging some fees for the processing of the e-passport of applicants. But Anyene said Nigeria`s Consul General in Johannesburg, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, had ordered full investigation into the matter. He said the R120 referred to in the publication as bribe was the legitimate administrative fee paid for processing of passports, adding that the payment was receipted and accounted for. Anyene also said the registration fee charged by the union to register applicants was R100 instead of the R2,500 reported by the publication. He further said the union did not charge any fee to write reference letters for Nigerians coming for data capturing at the Consulate office in Johannesburg. Also read: Buhari promises head-on fight against corruption "Such letters are issued free of charge and it is for Nigerians, especially those who need emergency service,’’ he said. He said that the official cost of e-passport was $106 rather than the $160 reported by the publication. Anyene said the letter issued by the union was meant for those from distant provinces and not Gauteng province. "The reason is to help them as it will be extremely costly for them to stay for days,’’ he said. He, however, said the union had stopped issuing the letter because of the efficient system introduced at the passport section of the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg. Anyene, however, urged Nigerians in South Africa to await the outcome of the investigation and have faith in the present leadership of the consulate to ensure effective service delivery. - NAN