In a bid to secure a new Ghanaian Passport, a 28-year-old Nigerian man identified as Eugene Wisdom Iyamu has been arrested for illegally obtaining a Ghanaian passport and birth certificate in Spain through a friend but the passport got missing when he visited Nigeria.
Iyamu was arrested in Accra by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) officials when he appeared to go through processes of acquiring a new passport at the Passport Application Center (PAC) at Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Accra.
Iyamu pleaded guilty to all charges which include, illegal entry, attempting to obtain a Ghanaian passport, and possession and use of a Ghanaian birth certificate.
It was gathered that the Chief Superintendent of GIS, Mr. Adolf Asenso-Aboagye, said Iyamu submitted a Ghanaian passport application with a Ghana’s birth certificate and a Ghanaian passport number GT2038555, which he claimed was missing.
The Chief Supt. Aboagye also said the convicted also added a police report to the documents, adding that, officials at the PAC doubted his nationality and referred the matter to the GIS for further investigations.
During court proceedings, the Kaneshie District Court presided by Ama Adomako Kwakye ordered the repatriation of Iyamu and convicted him on all three charges.
According to the Prosecutor said that investigations at the GIS headquarters revealed that the convict was a Nigerian whose real name is Eugene Wisdom Iyamu and not Anthony Kwarteng as he claimed.
The Prosecution said, Iyamu was born in Agbor in Delta State and came to Ghana through an unapproved route at Ghana’s Eastern Border (Aflao).
The Prosecution said, Iyamu, revealed in his statement that he obtained Ghana’s passport and birth certificate while still in Spain through a friend. Stating that, he managed to return to Nigeria on holidays but his Ghanaian passport got missing, so he decided to procure a new Ghanaian passport.
The Prosecutor also said that Iyamu also revealed that he was introduced to one Joe in Takoradi who charged him ¢2,000 for a Ghanaian passport.
On the charges, Iyamu was convicted on illegal entry which the court ordered him to pay a fine of ¢840 in default and serve two weeks imprisonment.
The court also ordered him to pay in default ¢960 and serve two weeks imprisonment on the charge of attempting to obtain a Ghanaian.
The court, however further ordered him to pay a ¢840 or in default serve two weeks imprisonment for the possession and use of a false Ghanaian birth certificate, adding that, the sentences will run concurrently.
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