The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described as ‘criminal’ the use of the titles ‘Ambassador’, ‘Diplomatic Envoy’ or any other diplomatic nomenclature by persons who have not been duly appointed or accredited by the Nigerian government.
In a statement in Abuja on Friday, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said that the ministry has observed with ‘grave concern the increasing activities of unscrupulous individuals and unauthorised groups who illegally usurp diplomatic titles and fraudulently confer same, specifically the title of “Ambassador”, upon themselves or unsuspecting members of the public. Such titles are not recognised under Nigerian laws or relevant international conventions’.
The statement frowned at what it called the ‘fraudulent conferment of such titles by self-proclaimed organisations, foundations, institutes, or individuals, and the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, or fake documents bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria, which has caused serious embarrassment to the Federal Government’.
The Ministry warned: ‘Individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith’.
Ebienfa explained: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state unequivocally that it is only the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has the prerogative to appoint and accredit Ambassadors. Besides Mr. President, no individual, group, or non-governmental entity is permitted to confer diplomatic or ambassadorial titles. Moreso, ambassadorial titles are not conferred with the payment of money or subscription to membership in non-governmental organisations.
‘Whereas the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not against the nomination and appointment of qualified Nigerians in all spheres of life as Brand Ambassadors, which is a form of recognition or aimed at advertising a product or service, it is important to make the clarification that brand ambassadors have no legal right to add the title of “Ambassador” to their names because that is not recognised by our laws.
‘The Ministry is working with relevant security agencies, the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps, VIO (Vehicle Inspection Office) and other stakeholders to ensure that any individual or group found engaging in the usurpation or fraudulent conferment of Ambassadorial titles, and issuance of fake and unauthorised diplomatic vehicle plate numbers are prosecuted in line with the law.
‘The Federal Government remains committed to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s diplomatic service and will not tolerate any form of misrepresentation that brings the nation to disrepute’.
