The federal government on Monday threw its weight behind its Embassy in Switzerland, denying allegations of negligence and poor service delivery.
The Embassy had been accused of shabby service delivery in a viral video on the social media.
In the video, a visibly angry Nigerian identified as Agbaeze Francis Chinedu accused the embassy of negligence and poor service delivery over the processing of his travel document.
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In a statement, Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwoye, described the accusations as false, adding that contrary to his claims the aggrieved had no prior booking with the Embassy and neither did any records show or prove that he contacted the Immigration officers of the Embassy.
“In line with the mandatory COVID-19 policy measures and directives (third-tier lockdown) announced by the Swiss Government on 14th January, 2021, the Immigration Officers of the Embassy were obliged to cancel all earlier booked appointments and all applicants were informed accordingly. The information regarding discontinuation of consular services were sent via public notices to the President of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO) Swiss chapter, relevant media in Switzerland and also uploaded on the official website of the Mission,” Nwoye explained.
The ministry also disclosed that officials of Nigerians In Diaspora (NIDO), Swiss Chapter, had earlier contacted Agbaeze to clarify issues but the latter refused.
‘The President of NIDO (Swiss chapter) informed the Mission that he had earlier contacted Mr. Agbaeze requesting that he removes the defaming video after his failure to provide substantial proof of his claims but Mr. Agbaeze remained defiant and rather issued more threats.
In the light of the above, the Ministry wishes to condemn the defamatory and inciting actions of Mr. Agbaeze against staff of the Embassy and the Nigerian State” the statement added.
It further pointed out that the country’s foreign missions had been on varying levels of lockdown as imposed by host countries as part of measures to check the spread of the Corona Virus
It said “due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been varying levels of lockdown measures implemented by several countries and our Missions are obligated to respect and comply with the directives of their host countries. Therefore, in compliance with the new developments in Switzerland, as regards the mandatory teleworking directive, strict restrictions and limit on the number of people in workplaces, the Immigration Officers have informed that all cancelled appointments will be re-booked when the lockdown is lifted.”
“The Ministry hereby reminds and urges Nigerian citizens in their various host countries to kindly abide by the online booking systems of their Missions and refrain from disorderly conduct. This is to ensure that consular services at the Embassy are carried out with the observation of COVID-19 protocols, in the interest of all,” it insisted.