Frank Joseph Avbel, a convicted child sex offender from Washington State, USA, has reportedly been granted a Nigerian visa. Social media posts suggest that Avbel recently married a Nigerian citizen at the Ikoyi marriage registry and has been seen around children since he arrived in the country.
This situation has caused a public outcry and calls for stricter vetting processes to prevent individuals with such backgrounds from entering Nigeria. Similarly, British DJ Tim Westwood, who faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct in the UK, has been reported to have relocated to Nigeria. According to a report by West Africa Weekly, Westwood has rebranded himself as a chef in Lagos and has been involved in public events, including hosting a nightlife party at Oniru Private Beach.
Individuals like Avbel and Westwood in Nigeria have increased public concern about the country’s immigration visa process and the effectiveness of background checks. Nigerians urge the authorities to enhance collaboration with international law enforcement agencies to ensure that individuals with serious criminal histories are identified and appropriately screened before being granted entry into the country.
