A NIGERIAN COUPLE – one a legal resident and the other recently deported – have spoken of the effects of their enforced split.
Former Lucan resident Adeniyi Alaba Adugbole was among 23 Nigerians, mostly failed asylum seekers, who were deported to Lagos on 28 April last.
Speaking from Nigeria, Adugbole – whose asylum claim was judged unfounded – told Metro Éireann his wife Florence has been ill following the birth of their daughter Flourish just over two months ago and is struggling to cope alone.
Florence, who is also from Nigeria, confirmed that circumstances since her husband’s deportation have been “very, very difficult”.
The Lucan-based woman said she’s been on painkillers since having a Caesarian section, and she is suspending plans to pursue a degree in social care at Blanchardstown Institute of Technology in autumn.
“The plan had been for my husband to look after the baby while I went to school,” she explained.
Metro Éireann understands a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court had been lodged in respect of the issuing of a deportation order against Adeniyi Alaba Adugbole, given his marriage to a legal resident in October 2009 and the birth of their child.
According to Adugbole, lawyers were working on his behalf to submit an application for a priority hearing to the Supreme Court on 29 April, the day after the deportation, although this application was deferred for other reasons.
Some 23 Nigerians were deported to Nigeria on 28 April. Most were failed asylum seekers and one (not Adeniyi Alaba Adugbole) had a drugs conviction.
Of the 113 people deported so far this year, some 82 were Nigerian – removed at a cost of over €280,000.
