The much-anticipated arraignment of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, and the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Rtd. Major General Abdulmalik Jibrin, did not proceed on Monday as scheduled, after both senior officials failed to appear before the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division.
The case, NICN/ABJ/CR/123/2025 — Dr. Badiru Adeyemi Oluwafemi vs Nigeria Immigration Service & 3 Others, was listed for arraignment on two criminal counts bordering on alleged perversion of justice and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The complainant, Dr. Badiru Adeyemi Oluwafemi, was present in court.
When the matter was called, counsel for the prosecution/defendant, A.M. Aduku, informed the court that the case was fixed for arraignment and that all defendants had been personally served with the criminal summons.
However, Hon. Justice S.O. Adeniyi held that a key procedural step had not been taken, noting that the court ought to have first directed the police to investigate the complaint and report back before an arraignment could be conducted.
Aduku objected, insisting that the defendants were already properly summoned and that arraignment should proceed, but the objection was overruled.
The court consequently ordered the Nigeria Police to carry out a formal investigation into the criminal allegations and submit a report on 31 March 2026, the new date fixed for Police Report/Arraignment.
A mild drama unfolded when counsel to the 2nd Defendant, Abubakar Esq., raised a preliminary objection claiming that the Comptroller-General, Kemi Nanna Nandap, was never personally served. Upon reviewing the court’s records, Justice Adeniyi dismissed his claim as misleading, confirming that the 2nd Defendant had indeed been personally served.
The court also noted that none of the defendants had filed any process, response, objection, or defence in the matter, despite earlier service of the summons.
With the absence of all defendants and the new procedural order issued, the case has now been adjourned to 31 March 2026 for presentation of the police investigation report and possible arraignment.
The criminal proceedings arise from complaints filed by Dr. Badiru, an NIS officer, who accuses senior officials of the Service and the Board of obstructing justice in connection with a long-running dispute over his assault case, disciplinary proceedings, and stalled promotions.
The allegations include claims that the Comptroller-General misrepresented facts to the CDCFIB, leading to the withholding of his 2024 promotion results.
