Disabled Nigerian threatened with deportation after 38 years in UK

Anthony Olubunmi George, a disabled man who has lived in the UK for 38 years, has been threatened with deportation by the Home Office.

According to Guardian UK, the 61-year-old arrived the UK from Nigeria in 1986 when he was 24 years of age.

He has not left the UK since and has no criminal convictions.

George has reportedly made several applications for leave to remain in the UK, which have all been rejected by the Home Office.

The most recent rejection came on May 7 with officials saying “unfortunately this is not something that is considered an exceptional circumstance”.

In 2005, George’s previous solicitors, who have now been reported to the police and the regulatory authorities, submitted a forged entry stamp in his passport.

He, however, claimed not to have know about the passport stamp until several years later.

Naga Kandiah, George’s current lawyer, attributed his problems to his previous legal representation.

Kandiah has also lodged an appeal against the latest refusal.

“My client has been living in limbo for 38 years, with no family, has suffered two strokes and has no family left in Nigeria,” the lawyer said.

“His situation is not just because of Home Office policies but also because of poor representation by previous solicitors who failed to uphold professional integrity and ethical standards.”

In 2019, George had two strokes which left him with speech and mobility issues.

He said he has endured periods of homelessness and no longer has close family in Nigeria.

“I don’t know how many different sofas I’ve slept on — too many to count. I don’t have my life, living the way I’m living now,” he said.

“My health problems since I had my stroke are my biggest worry. All I’m asking for is some kindness from the Home Office.”

Reacting, a home office spokesperson said “applications have to be considered on their individual merits in accordance with the immigration rules, with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules”.

Last week, Nelson Shardey, a Ghanaian, was told that he would have to wait another decade for the Home Office to grant him permanent residency after living in the UK for almost 50 years.