A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the release of the passport of former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili. The presiding Judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment on Monday ordered the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately release the international passport of the former Governor Odili.
Justice Inyang Ekwoin the Judgement declared that the seizure of the passport by the Immigration Service is illegal, unconstitutional and an infringement of the fundamental rights of the former governor.
The Judge also directed the Immigration Service, to tender an apology to Odili; restraining the Nigerian Immigration Service from further harassment and intimidation of Odili from traveling out of the country or moving freely within the country.
Former Governor Odili filed a suit at the high court challenging the seizure of his passport at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja by Immigration Officials on his arrival to Nigeria on 20 June 2021.
The NIS noted that the action was based on information that Odili is on EFCC corruption watchlist.