By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has raised the alarm over alleged extortion by officials of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), accusing them of demanding as much as ₦3,000 from residents for National Identification Number (NIN) services which it says should be free.

The organisation made the allegation in a statement dated November 5, 2026, signed by its Anambra State Chairman, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, while appealing to President Bola Tinubu and NIMC Director-General, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, to urgently intervene.

CLO said it had received numerous complaints from residents over alleged demands for gratification by NIMC officials, raising questions about why citizens in Anambra were reportedly being charged for NIN services while, according to the organisation, the service was free in other states.

It challenged the NIMC leadership to explain the alleged practice, asking: “Is the National Identity Number for sale in Anambra State, whereas in other States it is free?”

The organisation recalled that a similar situation allegedly occurred about 10 years ago when it claimed NIN applicants in Anambra were being charged ₦3,000, while the service was free in Asaba, Delta State.

According to CLO, its intervention at the time, when Ezekwueme was Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy, prompted a positive response from the Federal Government and brought the alleged practice to an end.

However, the organisation said the same situation had resurfaced, describing the alleged extortion as worse than before.

Narrating his personal experience, Ezekwueme said he recently visited the Onitsha North Local Government Area office for the re-issuance of his NIN but was allegedly asked to pay ₦3,000.

He said he challenged the officials over the demand, insisting that the Federal Government had directed that NIN services should be free.

“The Federal Government directed that NIN is free, why are you collecting between N3,000 to N5,000 from citizens?” he quoted himself as asking the officials.

Ezekwueme alleged that his NIN was not re-issued because he refused to pay the demanded amount.

“Because I refused to give them bribe, they failed, refused and neglected to issue me with the NIN,” he said.

The CLO chairman further alleged that the practice was widespread across local government areas in Anambra, claiming that some officials arrogantly defended the collection of money by saying it was the “Nigeria system.”

The organisation warned that the alleged practice could discourage residents from obtaining or updating their NIN, potentially denying them access to essential services linked to the national identity system.

It also expressed concern that the situation could compound existing registration challenges in the South-East, which it described as the least registered zone in the country, citing what it said was an INEC report.

CLO warned that citizens without NIN could encounter difficulties accessing bank accounts, SIM registration, international passports, school admissions, employment opportunities and social intervention programmes.

The organisation called on the NIMC director-general to set up an investigation team to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged sale of NIN services in Anambra, particularly in Onitsha North and Onitsha South local government areas.

It also demanded the creation of a monitoring committee, disciplinary action against officials found culpable and the display of notices at NIMC and INEC offices stating that NIN and voter cards are free, alongside contact details for reporting staff who demand money.

CLO further urged NIMC to ensure the immediate issuance of NIN to citizens allegedly denied the service for refusing to pay bribes.

“To actualize a corrupt-free society is the collective effort of everyone, CLO reiterated. We cannot build a new Nigeria with old corrupt practices,” the organisation said.

It appealed to President Tinubu to intervene, arguing that alleged corruption at the point of service delivery undermined government policies and programmes intended to make life easier for citizens.

The NIMC and its director-general were urged to investigate the allegations and restore public confidence in the registration process.