The Karnataka High Court in Bengaluru has ordered a Nigerian man, Onuoha Agha, to leave India following allegations of cheating, forgery of records and conspiracy.
A report by the Indian Express on Thursday said Agha, 42, gave an undertaking to the court expressing his willingness to return to Nigeria immediately.
The court also directed the state and cybercrime police authorities to withdraw criminal proceedings against him, noting that he had been in detention for two years.
He was charged under the Foreigners Act, 1946, the Information Technology Act, 2000, and provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
“In the light of the undertaking as afore-quoted, the only direction that can be granted to the petitioner is that he shall forthwith leave the shores of this nation,” the court ruled.
The court said the ruling reflected a pragmatic approach to foreign nationals detained for mid-level offences who agree to self-deportation.
It directed the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office to initiate deportation procedures at the petitioner’s expense, in line with standard operating procedure.
It also ordered him to obtain emergency travel documents from the Nigerian Consulate to facilitate his return.
NiDCOM boss, influencer criticise embassies over passport delays
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has criticised some embassies over prolonged withholding of applicants’ passports after visa submissions.
She also called for partial refunds of visa fees where applications are rejected.
Dabiri-Erewa made the remarks while reacting to a post on X by social media personality Japheth Omojuwa, who raised concerns over the practice.
Omojuwa, without naming any embassy, criticised delays in passport returns after visa processing.
“If, as an embassy, you can’t make a decision one way or another after two weeks, return people’s passports… It’s not a life and death issue,” he wrote.
He also faulted the impact of such delays on applicants’ travel plans and time management.
Responding, Dabiri-Erewa said, “I agree with you absolutely. And if applications should be rejected, the funds should be refunded! Or at least, a percentage should be refunded.”
By: Biodun Busari
