• America insists visa fees are non-refundable
The Federal Government has expressed concern over the United States’ deportation of 13 Nigerians to Ghana without prior notification. The Nigerians, alongside one Gambian, were reportedly flown out of the United States on a military cargo plane and handed over to Ghanaian authorities, despite having no ties to the country.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said Accra accepted the deportees “purely on humanitarian principle,” citing Ghana’s Pan-African commitment after other West African countries allegedly rejected the request.
“We just could not continue to take the suffering of our fellow West Africans. We made it clear to the Americans that we will not accept one dollar, because taking the deportees comes with some financial burden,” he said.
However, Nigerian officials have distanced themselves from the move, insisting that Abuja was not consulted. Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said: “What we have only rejected is the deportation of other nationals into Nigeria. Our citizens can be returned directly, and there is no reason to send them to another country first.”
According to Ghanaian government officials, the 14 deportees have since left Accra for their respective home countries. Ghana’s Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, reiterated the claim in an interview with the Associated Press, stating that the Gambian had flown home, while the 13 Nigerians were sent home on a bus.
Lawyers for four of the Nigerian immigrants, however, contradicted the official’s claim, saying in court filings yesterday and in interviews with AP that the four deportees were still being held in a facility in Ghana.
The Ghanaian minister denied knowledge of such a facility. “None of them are staying in this country. Nobody is being held in any camp, and nobody’s rights have been abused,” Ofosu said of the deportees in a phone interview.
MEANWHILE, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has reiterated that visa application fees remain non-refundable and non-transferable. In a tweet posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, the mission acknowledged the frustration felt by many Nigerians whose applications were denied after paying significant fees.
“We hear your concerns regarding U.S. visa application fees. Like most countries, U.S. visa fees cover the cost of processing the application, regardless of the outcome. While fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, each application is reviewed thoroughly and fairly. For best results, prepare your application carefully and use the resources on our website,” the statement read.
