Home Office threaten to deport disabled Nigerian who has been living in the UK for 38 years

DISABLED Nigerian Anthony Olubunmi George who has lived in the UK for the last 38 years faces deportation to Nigeria despite the fact that he is 61 years old and has suffered two strokes and cannot r4emember having any living relatives in Nigeria.

Mr George arrived in the UK from Nigeria at the age of 24 back in 1986 and has lived here ever since, with a clean record with no criminal convictions. In 2019, he experienced two strokes that had a significant impact on his ability to speak and move and to make matters worse, he no longer has any immediate relatives residing in Nigeria.

Over the years, he is said to have faced numerous episodes of homelessness and admitted that he has lost track of the countless friends who have sheltered him. Mr George has submitted multiple applications for leave to remain in the UK, all of which have been denied by the Home Office, with the most recent rejection occurring on May 7, 2024.

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

In 2005, his previous solicitors submitted a falsified entry stamp in his passport which has since been reported to the police and the legal regulatory bodies. According to Mr George, he was completely unaware of the passport stamp until several years later..

According to his current lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, Mr George’s difficulties can be attributed to his poor past legal representation. In their latest rejection, officials from the Home Office stated that the situation was not deemed to be an exceptional circumstance bit Mr Kandiah has filed an appeal challenging the most recent denial.

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

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Applications have to be considered on their merits in accordance with the immigration rules with the responsibility on applicants to demonstrate they meet these rules.”