Government has revoked the diplomatic passport it issued to Nigerian, Dozy Mmobuosi, in 2023.
The revocation comes a month after The New York Times reported that the United States Government proposed to put Malawi on the watch list for a potential travel ban because of the integrity of its passport, among other reasons.
While commending the revocation of the passport, commentators say it is not sufficient: Now government must flush out who issued the passport.
CHING’OMA—Their passports were confiscated
Minister of Homeland Security, Ezekiel Ching’oma has confirmed the withdrawal, citing legal ineligibility and administrative oversight.
He said the revocation is with immediate effect.
“He has since been informed, and all border authorities have been advised,” Ching’oma said.
According to him, the government is serious about realigning the integrity of the Malawian passport.
“It is a very critical document. That diplomatic passport has been withdrawn forthwith. We are also following up on officers involved in the issuance of the passport,” he said.
He said recently the Law Commission issued two reports — one the Immigration Act and on Passport & Citizenship Act as government seeks to improve the law governing issuance of passport.
“When cabinet and Parliament consider them, we will address the gaps comprehensively. At moment, the ministry is working hard to address these issues,” he said.
In a letter dated April 17, 2025, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services informed Mmobuosi, whose address is listed as 64 Eccleston Square, London, that the Diplomatic Passport No. MWD001502 had been “issued in error and contrary to the law.
“Please be advised that a Malawi diplomatic passport is issued exclusively to Malawian citizens.
“Our records confirm that you are a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria… and that you have neither applied for nor been granted Malawi citizenship at any material time,” reads the letter, signed by acting Director General Macloud Kalindang’oma.
Mmobuosi has seven days to surrender the passport to the nearest Malawi diplomatic mission or risk legal consequences, including possible travel restrictions to Malawi.
The Nigerian appeared in Malawi at the time the country was in the grip of Cyclone Freddy aftermath.
He came to launch a housing project for families affected by the cyclone, an event he presided over together with former presidents Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda.
President Lazarus Chakwera has appointed Muluzi and Banda as ambassadors for Cyclone Freddy response initiatives.
At the launch of the project, Mmobuosi pledged to construct 100 houses.
Mmobousi features as CEO of a tech company, Tingo Group, which is mired in allegations of fraud.
Recently, the United States government placed Malawi on its watch list over the issua
