Interior minister orders probe into alleged second passport issued to embattled Abuja realtor

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an investigation into an alleged issuance of another Nigerian passport to Abuja-based realtor, Rebecca Godwin-Isaac, who is standing trial on land fraud charges.

The directive followed a petition by lawyers representing the complainant family, who raised questions about how Ms Godwin-Isaac was able to travel out of Nigeria while her earlier passport remained in custody.

An invitation letter dated 31 August and seen by PREMIUM TIMES showed that the ministry’s Director of Legal Services, Eva Omotese, invited the lawyers to meet with the Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani.

The meeting, initially scheduled for an earlier date, was moved to 4 September.

“I am directed to inform you that the meeting earlier scheduled with the Permanent Secretary has been rescheduled. The meeting is now scheduled to be held on Friday, 4th September 2026,” the letter said.

At the meeting, Mrs Ajani told the lawyers that the minister had directed her to look into the matter, PREMIUM TIMES gathered from sources at the meeting.

She said the ministry would examine the complaint itself instead of simply sending it to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Layefa Ajuwa, an associate at the law firm, said the lawyers became concerned after learning that Ms Godwin-Isaac had travelled outside the country.

“We found out that she travelled out of the country, and we know that’s not supposed to be possible because her passport is in custody of the court,” Mr Ajuwa said.

He handed copies of the passport documents to the ministry. Mrs Ajani asked the lawyers to submit clearer copies so the documents could be examined properly.

The lawyers said Ms Godwin-Isaac had reported her earlier passport, B00485650, missing or stolen and later obtained another passport, B51450551.

They questioned how another passport could have been issued while the earlier one was still valid and in custody. They said the NIS biometric records should have revealed that she already had a passport.

Mr Ajuwa further alleged that the second passport was processed through a “non-appearance” procedure, meaning Ms Godwin-Isaac was not physically present for biometric capture.

Mrs Ajani noted that the ministry would check the NIS records to establish the passport numbers involved and how the second passport was issued.

She explained that the people whose passports are lost or stolen can apply for replacements after providing the required documents.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Ms Godwin-Isaac for comments on the allegations via WhatsApp and text messages but had not received a response as of the time of filing this report.

Lawyers give NIS 30 days to respond

The lawyers have also given the Comptroller-General of the NIS 30 days to respond to their complaint over the disputed passport.

The pre-action notice, dated 7 September and acknowledged by the NIS on 8 September, identified the disputed passport as B51450551.

The lawyers said another passport, B00485650, remained valid and was still in the custody of the Federal High Court.

They stated that they had petitioned the NIS on 10 June, asking the agency to investigate the alleged issuance, prosecute anyone found culpable and place Ms Godwin-Isaac on a watchlist.

According to the lawyers, the agency had not formally responded to the petition.

They further alleged in the notice that the disputed passport was obtained through a “non-appearance/no-show” process and that its photograph and signature had been digitally superimposed.

The lawyers warned that they would commence legal proceedings if the NIS failed to respond within 30 days.

They noted that they would ask the court to compel the agency to investigate the matter, revoke the disputed passport and place Ms Godwin-Isaac on a watchlist.

Land fraud cases

Ms Godwin-Isaac is standing trial alongside her husband, Isaac Ishaku, Richard John and two companies, Homadil Realty Limited and Rychado Homes Limited, in two cases before the lower court.

The cases, FHC/ABJ/CR/76/2025 and FHC/ABJ/CR/77/2025, involve allegations of land fraud, forgery and money laundering.

The complaints leading to the charges were lodged by the Yesufu family in Abuja,

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the defendants collected more than N500 million from victims between 2023 and 2024 in connection with disputed properties in Guzape and Katampe districts.

The defendants have denied the allegations.

The court had earlier granted them bail and ordered them to deposit their travel documents with the court.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the court ordered the EFCC to arrest Ms Godwin-Isaac after she failed to appear for a scheduled hearing.