The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has rejected allegations that it misrepresented the circumstances surrounding the detention of Nigerian national Ekene Vitus Chukwuma in India.
NiDCOM, in a statement on Thursday, September 17, 2026, said Chukwuma was arrested in December 2025 for alleged visa overstay and had remained in India with a Nigerian passport that expired in 2020.
The commission was responding to reports in which Chukwuma disputed its account, particularly over the timing of an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) issued to facilitate his return to Nigeria.
Chukwuma, detained at the Lampur detention camp in Delhi since his arrest, reportedly said he received the ETC in May 2026, months after his detention. He also denied that he had earlier obtained the document during an amnesty programme and failed to use it.
NiDCOM maintained that the Nigerian High Commission had issued him an ETC during the amnesty period but that he remained in India.
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The commission said Chukwuma told a consular officer that his wife and three children had returned to Nigeria while he stayed behind to conduct business despite lacking valid documentation.
NiDCOM said the earlier ETC subsequently expired while he remained in detention.
It explained that deportation proceedings in India require clearance from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office before detainees can be repatriated. Fresh ETCs can then be issued by the Nigerian High Commission following requests from Indian authorities.
The commission also disclosed that the Nigerian mission had sought another six-month amnesty for Nigerians living or working illegally in India, allowing eligible persons to leave without penalties.
NiDCOM said it remained committed to assisting Nigerians in distress abroad but urged citizens to maintain valid immigration documents and comply with the laws of their host countries.
The dispute over Chukwuma’s case centres on when and under what circumstances his Emergency Travel Certificate was issued, with both sides maintaining conflicting accounts.