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Nigerian head of banking operations, Adeyemi Opebiyi, sues U.K following visa refusal and deportation

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A Nigerian man is suing the UK for revoking the visa he had being granted when he flew into Manchester airport from Nigeria.

Adeyemi Opebiyi, a Head of Operations at Sabi Micro Finance Bank Ltd is denied entry to UK despite visa issuance

Adeyemi Opebiyi, a Head of Operations at Sabi Micro Finance Bank Ltd according to his LinkedIn profile, says when he arrived at the UK border, he was stopped byan immigration officer who opted to interview him before he could enter the UK.

Adeyemi claims following an eight hour wait, he was interviewed by an officer subsequently detained for 10 days before being deported to back to Nigeria.

His refusal letter from UK Home Office read: “You were asked to draw Sabi Micro Finance Bank LTD’s logo: What you drew bore little resemblance to the logos found on all the official paperwork you submitted for your visa application.”

“Furthermore, you were initially unable to state the correct names of the current Chairperson and Managing Director of Sabi Micro Finance Bank Ltd. This is something a Head of Operations would know. You were also unable to describe the core values and mission of Sabi Micro Finance Bank Ltd as described on its website.”

In the suit filed on his behalf by UK-based Nigerian lawyer, Mr Femi Aina of Martynsrose Solicitors, Adeyemi is asking for damages for the unlawful and humiliating treatment he was subjected to by the UK Immigration officers.

The court papers read: “The applicant spent 16 hours on his flight to London (Lagos-Doha-Manchester). He was held for about eight hours by the respondent for further examination. He was interviewed after eight hours’ waiting and was asked to draw the company logo.

“Despite the fatigue and the flight stress, he tried his best possible to draw the company’s logo. The respondent’s action is oppressive as it does not have regard for his well-being. The applicant showed his ID card, his MD confirmed his employment.”

“The letter dated 9th April, 2018 and the one dated 12 August, 2020 from the CBN relates to his employment. His bank statement shows regular salary payment. All the above are relevant evidence regarding his employment. The respondent’s decision that he was not employed, or that false information was used in obtaining his visa, is wrong.“

“By reason of the matters aforesaid, the applicant was unlawfully detained and deprived of his liberty for 10 days at Immigration Detention Centre (Colynbrook) from the date of his arrival, 14th March 2021 up to the date of his removal i.e. 24 March, 2021.“

“The respondent has acted in a way that is incompatible with the applicant’s rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, contrary to Section 6(1) as a public authority carrying out Immigration Control. Describing the experience as the worst in his life, Opebiyi”

Mr Adeyemi expressed his distress in the court document, following his experience, “I was humiliated and distressed about the whole matter. A week after returning to Nigeria I could not go to work as I was mentally unstable.”

I” have never stayed in detention in my life. The whole experience is affecting me psychologically till now. Anytime I hear detention or see anything about the UK, I cringe. I lost my savings on a fruitless journey to the UK. I am a victim of injustice.”

He claims he is entitled to between £5,000 and £20,000, with interest having lost a total of £1,593.00 from the cost of flight ticket, taxi fare to the airport in Nigeria, Administrative Review fees that he paid in the UK and the legal fees he paid to the lawyer who processed the Administrative Review for him.

“The claimant is entitled to interest pursuant to Section 69 County Courts Act 1984 on any sums due to him at such rate as the court shall think fit,” the lawyer said

It goes to show that having a visa does not guarantee entry into the UK.

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