Nigerian fined over illegal entry into country

A Nigerian was yesterday fined for entering Guyana illegally.

Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry imposed the $30,000 fine with an alternative of three months imprisonment on Bernard Chukuniba, 26, after he entered a guilty plea at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

According to Prosecutor Seon Blackman, on November 2, in Essequibo, Chukuniba entered Guyana by sea through the Essequibo River without presenting himself to an immigration officer.

Bernard Chukuniba

Blackman told the court that Chukuniba was travelling in a car on the Essequibo Public Road when he was stopped by immigration officials, who asked to see his passport.

He further noted that after Chukuniba’s passport was examined, it was discovered that it did not have a Guyanese immigration stamp approving his entrance into the country. Chukuniba was later arrested and charged.