The Ghana Immigration Service [GIS] has arrested a Nigerian, Henry Ude, at the Kotoka International Airport [KIA] for attempting to travel on an Ethiopian Airline with the new Ghana Biometric Passport.

A statement issued in Accra on Thursday by Mr Francis Palmdeti, Assistant Controller of Immigration and Head of Public Affairs, GIS, said born at Onitsha, Nigeria on July 23, 1986, Ude on March 30, 2011, appeared at the check-in counter of the Ethiopian Airlines but was referred to the GIS Fraud Unit at KIA on suspicion of fraudulent acquisition of a Ghana Passport.

It turned out that, the suspect indeed illegally acquired the Ghana Passport with number G0065819 issued in the name of Henry Nyantakyi, and is currently assisting the GIS in its investigations. In a related development, the name Henry Ude has appeared in several fraudulent documents forwarded to the GIS through its official email: [info@ghanaimmigration.org] by foreigners who were suspicious of the said documents and wanted verification from GIS.

Following these enquires, the Service has been investigating the activities of internet scammers operating in the country and believes there may be a link to the suspect in custody.

The Service cautioned foreigners who acquired or have the intention of acquiring Ghana Passports, as well as those in the business of facilitating the illegal acquisition of Ghana Passport by foreigners, to desist from the practice since it is an offence under the Immigration Act.

"The GIS wishes to state categorically that the Ghana Passport is the property of the Government of Ghana and remains the preserve of Ghanaians," the statement added.