Nigerian Robber Avoids Deportation Due to Mental Health Concerns in Home Country

A Nigerian man, convicted of armed robbery and drug dealing, has been granted permission to remain in the UK based on his mental health issues, which would not be adequately addressed in Nigeria. A judge ruled that he would be viewed as possessed in his home country, thus placing him at risk. Despite his past crimes, the convict expresses a desire to reform and is currently engaged in community activities.

A Nigerian man, convicted of armed robbery and drug offenses, has been permitted to remain in the United Kingdom due to concerns regarding his mental health. Despite facing deportation for over a decade, the judge ruled in favor of the convict, who suffers from psychosis and claims to hear constant voices, arguing that returning him to Nigeria would be detrimental to his well-being. In Nigeria, he could be perceived as suffering from demonic possession instead of receiving appropriate mental health care.

The individual was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2011 for an armed robbery at a brothel and received another prison term after being convicted of supplying crack cocaine in 2018. A deportation order was initially issued in April 2014, but experts have since described him as posing a significant risk of harm to the public. His mental health issues are believed to stem from trauma, leading to hallucinations and a persistent belief in demonic forces controlling his mind.

Upper Tribunal Judge Stephen Smith highlighted the convict’s enduring belief that his mental health challenges arise from possession, concluding that Nigeria would not be able to offer suitable treatment for him. The judge expressed concern that the individual’s condition might lead others to regard it as a manifestation of possession, further complicating his situation. Supporting this view, a report from Amnesty International noted, “He is at substantial risk of being identified as suffering from demonic forces and faces a resultant risk of being targeted as a result.”

Despite his past, the convict has shown a desire for rehabilitation, stating, “I really want to stay away from crime. I don’t want to get into that predicament again. I want to live a normal life.” He engages in regular gym activities and volunteer work and currently resides within the community, rather than in secured housing. This ruling adds to a growing trend of foreign criminals utilizing human rights legislation to avoid deportation in the UK, following other notable cases.

The ruling allowing a Nigerian criminal to remain in the UK due to his mental health issues underscores the complexities of deportation laws and human rights considerations. The assessment of his condition, viewed through the lens of cultural perceptions in Nigeria, influenced the decision, emphasizing the need for adequate mental health provisions. This case reflects broader implications for how mental health is treated in the legal system, particularly for foreign nationals involved in crime.

Original Source: www.gbnews.com