In a landmark ruling, a Nigerian court has directed the Minister of Interior and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to issue a passport to an applicant within six weeks, following significant delays in processing the travel document. The court also awarded the applicant N3 million in damages for the inconvenience caused by the delay.
The decision comes after the applicant, who had applied for a passport several months ago, experienced an unprecedented delay in the issuance process. Despite meeting all the necessary requirements and following the prescribed procedure, the applicant was left stranded without a valid passport for an extended period, which hindered travel plans and caused significant distress.
Justice Samuel A. Oguwike of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that the delay in processing the passport application violated the applicant’s right to freedom of movement as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution. The court emphasized that government agencies, including the Ministry of Interior and the NIS, are obligated to adhere to constitutional timelines and not subject citizens to unnecessary delays or hardships.
In addition to the order for the passport to be issued within six weeks, the court ruled that the applicant should be compensated for the inconvenience caused, awarding N3 million in damages. The damages were intended to cover the financial loss, emotional distress, and inconvenience suffered by the applicant due to the delay.
The ruling has been hailed as a significant victory for Nigerian citizens, particularly those who have faced delays and inefficiencies in obtaining passports. It sends a strong message to government agencies about the need to respect the rights of citizens and uphold efficient service delivery.