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October 8, 2022
Part of the reason for the ban, it was also gathered, is the report of human rights violations of Nigerians by the Kenyan police in the form of torture, extortion and enforced disappearances.
The Nigerian High Commissioner in Nairobi, Kenya, Ambassador Alhaji Yusuf Yunusa has reportedly barred a Nigerian resident in the East African country, Anthony Anamonye, from entering the commission.
SaharaReporters reliably gathered on Friday that the decision was sequel to reports published by SaharaReporters on passport racketeering and extortion by officials of the high commission.
Part of the reason for the ban, it was also gathered, is the report of human rights violations of Nigerians by the Kenyan police in the form of torture, extortion and enforced disappearances.
Sources from the High Commission told SaharaReporters that Ambassador Yunusa, who has been confined on wheelchair after he suffered stroke early this year, was rattled by series of reports of inhumane treatment of Nigerians resident in Kenya.
More disturbing, according to the source, was the report of the embassy officials who turned the commission into extortion haven, which Anamonye was quoted in the report.
When contacted on telephone, Anamonye confirmed the report saying that the officials had told him on October 4, that he was no longer welcome in the Commission.
According to him, "I went to check my passport application on October 4 since the Kenya Police destroyed my initial passport in March when they invaded my apartment. So I reapplied for another passport. To my greatest surprise on getting to the High Commission security men at the commission told me that they were directed not to allow me entry into the commission."
In a recorded voice conversation between the Anamonye and embassy security and officials, SaharaReporters could someone telling him, "You went to write in Nigeria paper that some of the diplomats here connived with Kenya police to extort Nigerians. He said yes. I am directed not to allow you into this commission.
"Anamonye asked who gave the order that he should not be allowed into the commission, a staff of the commission was overheard saying, the officials. Then he said, go and tell the officials that I was sent by Ambassador Nickolas Ella, Director of Legal and Consular Department, Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja. The official replied, Your name has been written and pasted here that you should not be allowed in.
"I am here to protect the lives of the High Commissioner and entire staff. If anybody is causing trouble; I don't want to see the person around the commission. It is up to you to go and report to whoever that sent you or better still take any action. Tell the person that the security at the Nigerian High Commission did not let you in,” the official said.
Anamonye further stated, "It happened twice. First was on the 19th of September, 2022, and the latest took place on Tuesday, 4th of October. I was almost at my school gate when I was instructed by Ambassador Nicholas Ella, the Director of Legal and Consular Department, Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja to go back to the High Commission as he had contacted the Head of Chancery, the Head of Immigration and others. I took an Uber back to the High Commission before I was attended. Every documents required by the High Commission for my passport replacement including the Court Affidavit and Police Abstract were submitted to the High Commission the next day 5th of October, 2022."