From Iceland — Nigerian Asylum Seeker Denied Residence Permit

Nigerian Asylum Seeker Denied Residence Permit

Published July 16, 2014

Nanna Árnadóttir
Photo by
Julia Staples

Nigerian asylum seeker Samuel Eboigbe Unuko has been denied a residence permit despite the fact that he is married to an Icelandic citizen, reports DV.

The Directorate of Immigration delivered their verdict last week stating that the application did not meet the basic requirements of article 11 of the immigration code which stipulates that there be proof that the applicant’s  health insurance, housing, and needs will be met in the event that they are granted a residence permit.

“This is really strange,” said Unuko’s wife, Dagný Albertsdóttir. “I have proven that I have a much higher standard of living than the minimum cited [in article 11].”

This marks another hurdle in Samuel’s long standing battle to gain an Icelandic residence permit. In March 2012 The Directorate of Immigration refused to process his application, citing the UN Refugee Agency’s report on Sweden’s fair processing of asylum seekers. However,  Unuke was able to successfully appeal his deportation in that instance.

Unuke fled Nigeria, fearing for his life, after getting embroiled in politically motivated MEND (Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta). He was initially responsible for rallying students to protest, but was then asked to conduct immoral rites of passage, including kidnapping.

After escaping vicious assaults by MEND who suspected him being a turn coat, Unuke is certain deportation would be a death sentence for him.

 

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