NASS SUMMONS US AMBASSADOR OVER VISA DENIAL

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Following a petition by an activist, Kayode Bello, over the alleged high rate of visa denial of Nigerians, the National Assembly has summoned the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington. The invitation was said to be at the instance of who petitioned the House over the matter.

According to a report by The Punch, the embassy usually issued preprinted blue papers to those it rejected without giving a specific reason for the decision.

The activist, Bello, petitioned the National Assembly through member representing the Ede and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, after suffering a similar fate of denial.

The summon, entitled, ‘Indiscriminate denial of United States of America visa and illegal increment of exchange rate of visa fee by the American embassy’ was signed by the House Committee Chairman on Public Petitions, Uzo Azubuike.

The two-page document, dated November 27, 2018 and a copy of which was received by our correspondent, said the hearing would hold on Tuesday, December 4 at 2pm at the House of Representatives Room 429.

The House asked the ambassador to present 20 copies of his defence.

The Clerk of the House, Mr Omale Adoyi, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Monday.

He, however, said the US embassy rejected the summon.

“But we will go on with the hearing and may have to adjourn if they fail to show up,” he added.