The Federal Government has clarified that the Brown Card project as initiated by the immediate past Minister of Interior, Mr. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbeshola at the twilight of the last Administration, was meant to replace the former Emergency Travel Document as was been issued by Nigerian Embassies abroad.
In a document obtained by Daniel Adamu in Abuja, which is the Statement of Defence filed by the lawyers representing the Ministry of Interior, in an action filed by a social Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), New Kosol Welfare against the Ministry for initiating the apparently illegal programme, it stated that the government’s approval of the Brown Card which came through the Ministry of Interior on June 27, 2023 was designed as a temporary passport given and issued to Nigerians who lost their international passport and wish to return to Nigeria.
The document revealed: “This Brown Card replaces the former Emergency Travel Document issued by Nigerian Embassies abroad.”
In a Certified True Document issued and signed at the Federal High Court, Abuja it stated: “Federal Government cannot approve another Brown Card that would confer Permanent Residency Status and Citizenship of Nigeria on citizens of other nations.”
The Ministry however avers that the implementation of the Brown Card is yet to fully commence.
This shows that the Brown Card programme cannot be used by unscrupulous individuals, working within Government circles, to defraud foreigners seeking (Desperately) to obtain Nigerian Citizenship.
In conclusion, foreigners seeking to obtain Nigerian Citizenship, must comply with express provisions of Sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 (Chapter 3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
It shows clearly that the existing protocol is the only lawful way of obtaining citizenship in Nigeria as stipulated by law.
