Birmingham woman Jumoke Adediwura's fears for daughter if they are deported to Nigeria

Dec 12 2007

A NIGERIAN mother threatened with deportation believes her disabled daughter will die if they are forced to return to Africa, it was revealed today.

Jumoke Adediwura spoke from the Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, in Bedford, about her traumatic past and fears for her family if they are forced relocate to Nigeria.

The 35-year-old, who has lived in Birmingham for four years, was expected to be on a flight back to Africa on Monday night with her British-born daughters Elizabeth and Daniella, aged two.

But the family gained a last minute reprieve when it emerged Elizabeth had an ear infection.

As a result, the three-year-old, who has special needs, was unable to receive vaccinations necessary for travel to Nigeria and Ms Adediwura was told by Home Office officials the family would be deported at a later date.

Now her friends are hoping to delay the date further and have been in contact with a human rights lawyer.

Elizabeth has since been given a course of antibiotics and it is thought they will have to leave the UK after she has finished the course.

Ms Adediwura said: "Elizabeth has many problems. She has many disabilities. There is no equipment or treatment for her in Nigeria and the treatment is not free.

"I am worrying about my children. I don't have friends in Nigeria who can look after me or my children and I don't want to lose them."

Ms Adediwura claimed she fled Nigeria after years of abuse at the hands of her family after taking the decision to convert from Islam to Christianity.