New hope for Birmingham mum fighting deportation to Nigeria

Dec 11 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

BIRMINGHAM campaigners battling to stop a Nigerian family being kicked out of Britain today had fresh hope after the deportation was postponed.

Nigerian-born Jumoke Adediwura and her daughters Elizabeth, aged three, and Daniella, two, were due to be flown out of the UK last night.

But friends and campaigners said the deportation had not gone ahead because Elizabeth had an ear infection, meaning she could not receive the malaria jab she needs for Africa.

Neighbours of the Adediwuras in Linley Grove, Kings Heath, have been fighting to overturn the Home Office's decision, fearing for their safety in Nigeria.

Holly Nolan, a 49-year-old mum-of-three from Allens Cross, said: "It is a stroke of luck that Elizabeth has an ear infection as it has bought us more time to get in an appeal.

"The campaigners have new hope but we do not know how long we have got until the deportation. Every second counts for us.

"The children have never been outside this country and who knows what they will face in Nigeria?

"They don't deserve that and we are fighting for them."

Ms Adediwura, aged 35, came to Birmingham four years ago after fleeing violence in her home village and was forced to leave her 13-year-old son behind.

She settled in Kings Heath and her two daughters were born here and attend the Allens Cross Nursery. She is believed to be separated from her partner.

Home Office officials took Ms Adediwura and her daughters away during the early hours last Wednesday and they are now being held in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in Bedford.

f=XZapfDingbatsno Anyone interested in supporting the campaign can log on to www.my space.com/supportjumoke.