By : Lloyd Mahachi
Chidimma Onwe Adetshina, Nigeria’s representative at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant, has been caught up in an identity fraud scandal.
The South African Department of Home Affairs has revoked Adetshina’s and her mother’s IDs and travel documents due to allegations of fraudulent activities.
According to Home Affairs, Adetshina’s mother allegedly stole the identity of another individual to register her daughter’s birth. This deceitful act has had severe consequences for the victim, who has been denied various benefits of citizenship for 22 years. These benefits include bursaries, opening a bank account, voting rights, and obtaining a driver’s license.
The revocation of Adetshina’s documents raises questions about her eligibility to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe competition, scheduled to take place in Mexico next month. The scandal highlights the serious consequences of identity fraud and raises concerns about the verification processes in place for international competitions.
The situation is complex, with many unanswered questions. How will this affect Adetshina’s participation in the pageant? Will Nigeria replace her with an alternative representative? The developments are unfolding, and the outcome remains uncertain. One thing is clear, identity fraud has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only individuals but also national and international events.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
