The National Assembly has summoned the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, over the alleged high rate of visa denial of Nigerians.

The invitation was said to be at the instance of an activist, Kayode Bello, who petitioned the House over the matter.

The PUNCH had done an investigation into how many Nigerian students seeking to study in US schools were denied visas despite spending a lot of money on different fees.

Some of the fees, our correspondent learnt, were application fees, evaluation fees, courier fees, service fees, visa fees, school fees.

The fees were said to be non-refundable.

While some of the students claimed that they were denied visas because they were not married, others said they were denied because only one of their parents was their sponsor.

A parent claimed that his daughter’s interview was cut short because she asked the interviewer to speak up.

Our correspondent was further told that the embassy usually issued preprinted blue papers to those it rejected without giving a specific reason for the decision.

More than three weeks after enquiries were sent to the embassy, no response had been got by The PUNCH.

A former ambassador to the US, John Campbell had, however, told our correspondent visas were given by consular officers on a case by case basis, adding that the refusal of many people to return home after finishing their programmes made the process difficult.

The activist, Bello, petitioned the National Assembly through member representing the Ede and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, after suffering a similar fate of denial.

The summon, entitled, ‘Indiscriminate denial of United States of America visa and illegal increment of exchange rate of visa fee by the American embassy’ was signed by the House Committee Chairman on Public Petitions, Uzo Azubuike.

The two-page document, dated November 27, 2018 and a copy of which was received by our correspondent, said the hearing would hold on Tuesday, December 4 at 2pm at the House of Representatives Room 429.

The House asked the ambassador to present 20 copies of his defence.

The Clerk of the House, Mr Omale Adoyi, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Monday.

He, however, said the US embassy rejected the summon.

“But we will go on with the hearing and may have to adjourn if they fail to show up,” he added........https://www.thegeniusmedia.com.ng/2018/12/03/breakingnational-assembly-summons-us-ambassador/

GOOOD. HIGH TIME THEY ACT ON THE EXISTING PRECEDENTS.

hmmm, but if our government provides good standard of living, i believe Nigerians won't be traveling around looking for green pastures, instead them to fight for us they fight for their pocket.

That is very commendable from the national assembly, meanwhile national assembly should also tell the US Ambassador that. ATIKU must go to AMERICA they like it or not

Thats a very good move. This is long over due

lol.
i don't know much about law, but is it ilegal if the ambassador refuse to show up?

National Assembly is playing both legislative and executive roles. I doubt if US Ambassador to Nigeria will honour the invitation. They should have channelled it through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

salford:
lol.
i don't know much about law, but is it ilegal if the ambassador refuse to show up?

According to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations, Diplomats and embassies of foreign missions are immune and can not be subject to local investigations or jurisdiction in the receiving state. Nigeria government lack the powers to question the American embassy especially as related to the issuance of Visa. It is their preregotive right to issue Visa to whoever they deemed qualified for it.

It's about time. They refuse most people but will still come up with fake data that they give 50%

salford:
lol.
i don't know much about law, but is it ilegal if the ambassador refuse to show up?

Where did you read that from?


Who gave the Nigeria National Assembly the right to write such a summon to a diplomat of a foreign country? Hypocrites.


The US embassy Diplomats works only for the interest of the America Citizens and its Government.


He does not work for Nigeria or Nigerians.