Why UK deported 53 Nigerians, by ministry

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Latest Politics Monday, March 19th, 2012

MORE facts emerged yesterday on why Britain deported 53 Nigerians last week.

Many of them had overstayed their visas. Some had completed their prison terms, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

It also maintained, through a statement signed by its spokesman, Ogbole Ode, that 53 – not 120 – Nigerians were brought back home from the United Kingdom (UK).

The statement explained that the deportation followed due process because the affected Nigerians were made to face some migration-related panels and went through legal appeals.

It claimed that the processes, up to deportation level, were monitored by senior officials of the Nigerian High Commission in London .

The statement reads: “On the issue of deportation of Nigerians from Britain , we wish to state emphatically that the total number of Nigerians involved was 53 contrary to the exaggerated claim of 120.

“These compatriots were removed from the UK essentially because they have overstayed their visas or have completed their prison terms.

“Deportation of Nigerians from the UK is covered by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Migration Returns which was concluded between the two countries a few years ago.

“Under the terms of the MoU, Nigerians who no longer have the rights to remain in the UK and have exhausted all local remedies and legal appeals are subject to removal from the country.

“This has made deportation of such Nigerians a matter of routine that now takes place in line with the provision of the MoU.

“The whole process was supervised by very senior officials of the Nigerian High Commission, London.”

An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who also spoke in confidence, said: “We started Migration Returns in 2005 after the completion of the MoU.

It is a global trend to deport migrants who are surviving through illegal means, including credit card fraud, internet scams and immigration paper forgery.

“It is not as if Nigeria is condoning the deportation of its citizens. Those who have valid visas and earn income legitimately in the UK have nothing to fear.”

-The Nationwp_posts