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63-Year-Old Nigerian Wins UK Stay After Nearly Four Decades in Limbo
Anthony Olubunmi George, a 63-year-old Nigerian who has lived in the UK since 1986, wins his appeal to remain after years of homelessness, health struggles, and legal setbacks.
A 63-year-old Nigerian man, Anthony Olubunmi George, has finally secured the right to remain in the United Kingdom after 38 years of uncertainty.
George, who arrived in the UK in 1986 at the age of 24, has never returned to Nigeria and has no criminal record. His life took a difficult turn in 2019 when he suffered two strokes that left him with speech and mobility impairments.
He told the tribunal that he endured years of homelessness, often sleeping on friends’ sofas while awaiting a decision on his immigration status.
Despite multiple applications for leave to remain, the Home Office repeatedly rejected his requests. His case became even more complicated in 2005 when a former solicitor submitted a forged entry stamp in his passport without his knowledge. That lawyer has since been disbarred and reported to police.
In ruling in George’s favour, the immigration judge noted that his reluctance to see a GP—due to fear of deportation—had likely contributed to his health crisis. The judge described him as “destitute” and without close family in Nigeria.
“I don’t know how many different sofas I’ve slept on, too many to count,” George said. Overwhelmed by the ruling, he added: “I’m so happy I don’t know what to say. My life has just begun again. Before I didn’t have hope, but now by God’s grace I can move forward with my life.”
Reacting to the decision, his lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, said:
“My client has been living in limbo for almost 40 years, has suffered two strokes and has no family left in Nigeria. His situation is not just because of Home Office policies, but also because of poor representation by previous solicitors who failed to uphold professional integrity and ethical standards.
“Despite our several applications to the Home Office to review the matter rather than proceeding to an oral hearing, our attempts were refused again and again and the case went to a full court hearing. I am overjoyed with the decision. He has waited for it for almost four decades.”
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