Mozambique ignored due process in Nigerians’ arrest, deportation — NIDCOM
By Folarin Kehinde
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has faulted the deportation of 40 Nigerians from Mozambique, declaring that the exercise failed to follow due process.
The Commission disclosed that the affected Nigerians, who were arrested and detained for weeks, were returned to the country in three batches of 13, 16 and 11 persons via South African Airways flight SA60 and Ethiopian Airlines on March 24, 26 and 27; two others, however, remain in Mozambique.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NIDCOM described the development as a violation of established procedures and the fundamental rights of the affected Nigerians.
The Commission noted that the deportees were allegedly arrested at their business premises in Maputo without prior notice, despite possessing valid residency documents.
According to NIDCOM, the individuals were detained for several days and subsequently deported without proper engagement with Nigerian diplomatic authorities, a move it said contravenes international norms.
It further lamented that officials of the Nigerian Embassy were denied access to the detainees, as all efforts to establish contact were rebuffed by Mozambican authorities.
Beyond the procedural lapses, the Commission raised concerns over reports that money confiscated from the Nigerians during detention was not returned, with some alleging that additional funds were withdrawn from their mobile applications.
While Mozambican authorities reportedly maintained that the arrests were part of routine immigration enforcement operations, NIDCOM insisted that such actions must adhere strictly to due process and respect the rights of foreign nationals.
Of the two Nigerians still in Mozambique, one is married to a Mozambican citizen, while the other was born in the country.
The Commission recalled that all 42 Nigerians were arrested at different business locations despite complying with legal requirements to live and work in Mozambique.
As of press time, Mozambican authorities had yet to issue an official statement, a development likely to heighten concerns over due process and the treatment of foreign nationals in the country.
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