The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will inaugurate a new digital platform for the application of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) on August 1.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Akinlabi said that the development was in line with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reform the NIS and enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of its services.

He said that the new portal, accessible at https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng, was designed to enable applicants submit their CERPAC applications online without the need for physical forms.

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According to him, effective from August 1, the use of physical CERPAC forms will be discontinued.

“All CERPAC applications after July 31 must be submitted solely through the online portal, ‘’ he said.

The NIS spokesman noted that the digital transition was aimed at improving the user experience and ensuring a seamless application process for both individuals and corporate organisations taking immigration responsibility for expatriates.

Akinlabi advised applicants who have paid but have yet to submit their CERPAC forms to do so on or before July 31, to avoid losing their application status and associated payments.

READ ALSO:Nigeria To Roll Out Electronic Visas To Curtail Corruption In Immigration Service

“Similarly, individuals and companies with pending submissions are strongly encouraged to complete all processes within the stipulated timeline to avoid any inconvenience.

“Any form not submitted before the deadline will be rendered void and invalid.

“All enquiries and correspondence related to this transition should be directed to the service through the office of the Public Relations Officer,” he said.

He, however, reaffirmed the service commitment to delivering more efficient and technology-driven immigration services in line with global best practices.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered a final forfeiture of several assets, including N335 million, a hospital, five filling stations, among others, to the Federal Government.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s lawyer, Fadila Yusuf, moved the motion to that effect.

Yusuf prayed the court to grant the final order, forfeiting the property in Schedules I and II to the Federal Government, the commission having complied with all the directives of the court.

Justice Nwite, in a ruling, held that the lawyer’s application was meritorious and accordingly granted it.

READ ALSO:Bank Fraud: Court Orders Forfeiture Of Cash, Properties

“I have listened to the submission of the applicant’s counsel and reviewed the affidavits in support of the motion.

“I am of the view that this application is meritorious.

“Consequently, the application is granted as prayed,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the anti-graft agency had filed the motion on notice marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1058/2024.

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The motion was brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.

The EFCC, in its affidavit in support deposed to by Tahiru Ahmed, an official in the office, averred that the forfeiture motion fell within the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The official stated that on Aug. 13, 2024, the court made an order for interim forfeiture of the property listed in the schedules to the application.

READ ALSO:Court Orders Forfeiture Of Keystone Bank Controlling Share To FG

The court had ordered the commission to publish the assets in any national daily and on its website, inviting all persons or bodies who might have an interest in the said property to show cause why they should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

“The said orders of the court were complied with, and the publication was made in Punch newspapers on Sept. 4, 2024,” he stated.

Amend stated that since publication of the interim order of forfeiture, nobody had come forward to show interest in the said property.

He said it would be in the interest of justice to grant the final forfeiture application, “as no person will be prejudiced in any way.”

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday morning discharged and acquitted former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, of all charges in his long-standing money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court upheld Fayose’s no-case submission, effectively ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against him to warrant further defence.

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Fayose had been standing trial on allegations bordering on money laundering and fraud during his tenure as governor.

However, after years of legal proceedings, the court found that the evidence presented by the EFCC was insufficient to sustain the charges.