Rights group petitions Aviation Minister on Yellow Card fraud at MMA

A monumental fraud is currently on-going at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, the Nigerian Human Rights Community, [NHRC] has said.

In a petition to the Minister of Aviation, Mr Festus Kayamu and made available to Irohinoodua, the coalition of 130 civil society and human rights organisations across the country called on the Minister to checkmate the embarrassing fraud.

Tagged “YELLOW CARD CORRUPTION AT MURTALA MOHAMMED AIRPORT” the
Nigerian Human Rights Community, (NHRC) said the organisation was established in 2003 with members drawn from across the country is concerned about the humilation of innocent Nigerians compelled to bribe immigration officials who accuse them of procuring “fake Yellow Cards.”

“We write to draw your attention to the challenges imposed on Nigerian travelers at the Murtala Murhammed International Airport, MMA by some unscrupulous workers at the MMA. These complaints were brought to the NHRC by Nigerians who have used the MMA in the past months,” the statement signed by NHRC, Deputy SecretaryYomi Adegbite and Northern Region
Coordinator
Kudu Abubakar said.

The group said Nigerian travelers coming from outside the country are subjected to corrupt and malicious exploitation by some immigration officials who demand for Yellow Cards from any Nigerian entering the country.

Yellow Cards known officially as the International Certification of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is to prevent the importation of infectious diseases, mostly and notably Yellow Fever. It is the Medical Passport approved by the World Health Organisation, (WHO).

However, NHRC said the officials at the arrival desk abuse the procedure and have turned the process into a money making venture through massive corruption.

The NHRC listed the corrupt antics of the Immigration Officials:

Categorisation of every Yellow Card as Fake compelling travelers to part with between five to ten thousand naira. Travelers who refuse to part with money have their Yellow Cards seized.
They demand for Yellow Cards from Nigerians coming from Western countries.

They demand Yellow cards from Nigerians who travelled out of the country even for four to five days. How do we explain asking Nigerians to provide Yellow Cards after visiting Ivory Coast for just five days before they can enter their homeland

The coalition said the action is ridiculous.

“The exercise has become a money spinning project which undermines the country’s international image. We call on your Honourable Minister to investigate this corruption and irresponsible practices and bring the culprits to book. We count on your prompt intervention,” the coalition stated