American singer Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, otherwise known as Akon, who is of Senegalese descent, entered into Nigeria illegally after missing a flight at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.
The singer was going to the United States via Nigeria from Equatorial Guinea.
On missing his flight, the singer insisted that he and his crew would sleep in a hotel in Lagos rather than stay in the immigration section of the airport.
This is typically not allowed as they had no visas for Nigeria, but according to Sahara Reporters, Akon, with the help of the American consulate was able to strong arm the Nigerian Immigration Service to let him stay at Sheraton hotel.
Sahara Reporters reports that a Delta Line official simply known as Henry was overheard stating that Akon and his crew could not stay in the airport lounge. He said;
“If they have to leave the airport, we have to hold their passport. I have some of the passes here, some US performers who were transiting from Malabo through my flight but unfortunately, the flight left tonight and we are asking that we take them to a hotel from the US consulate so that we bring them back to the airport tomorrow then your men can have their passports until tomorrow when they can get out of the country,” he said.
“The US Consulate confirms that they cannot stay at the airport, they want them to go to a hotel so that tomorrow they can bring them down to the airport.”
The NIS allowed Akon to enter into Nigeria illegally, but his passports were held and his people had to sign an undertaking promising to bring him to the airport for his flight the next day.
Sahara Reporters reports that Henry was also heard making another calling saying: “The consulate spoke with the artiste and the team and they are bent on having their passport with them and I’m trying to get them out of here,” he said. “The Immigration authority tries to keep their passport because they don’t have Nigerian visa. However, if they want to go to town, I can guarantee them (NIS) that they will bring them back tomorrow.”
Akon and his crew were able to leave, but their passports were withheld.