What Happens When You Damage a Nigerian Passport?

Recently, a troubling incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos highlighted the serious consequences of damaging a Nigerian passport. A couple returning from Europe got into a heated argument, resulting in the wife tearing her husband’s passport. 

This act brought immediate attention from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), leading to an ongoing investigation. The individuals involved were quickly identified, and the woman who damaged the passport was summoned for questioning.

NIS spokesperson Kenneth Udo, in a statement from Abuja, confirmed that the parties involved have been identified and have been called in for further inquiry.

Why damaging a passport is a serious offence

A passport is more than just a travel document. It’s a key that opens borders and a recognized badge of identity. For Nigerian citizens, their passport is a critical document for international travel and identification.

A passport is a crucial document for identity verification and international travel. Tampering with or damaging a passport can lead to security risks, such as identity theft or illegal border crossings. Therefore, the law aims to deter such actions by imposing strict penalties.

The legal implications of damaging a passport

Under the Nigeria Immigration Act of 2015, damaging a passport is considered a criminal offense. Specifically, Section 10 of the Act addresses the misuse, mutilation, or destruction of passports. 

Udo highlighted that if confirmed, the woman’s actions would breach Section 10(b) of the Immigration Act 2015, potentially leading to the severe penalties specified in Section 10(h).

According to the Nigeria Immigration Act of 2015, damaging a Nigerian passport is a serious offense with significant legal consequences.

This Act specifies these consequences in Part II, Section 10, which deals with the misuse, mutilation, or destruction of passports.

Section 10 of the Nigeria Immigration Act states that any person who intentionally mutilates, destroys, or misuses a Nigerian passport could face legal consequences.

The purpose of this section is to safeguard the integrity of Nigerian passports, which are vital for national security and personal identification.

What is the punishment?

The penalties for these offenses are detailed in the Act.

Per Section 10(b), anyone convicted of damaging or illegally modifying a Nigerian passport could face a fine, imprisonment, or both.

If someone is found guilty of mutilating or destroying their passport, the law is clear, they could end up in prison for up to three years, be fined up to ₦500,000, or face both penalties. 

The law treats these offenses with severity, reflecting the importance of maintaining the integrity and security of Nigerian passports. Therefore, the law aims to deter such actions by imposing strict penalties.