After nearly four decades of living in uncertainty, 63-year-old Nigerian Anthony Olubunmi George has won a hard-fought battle to remain in the United Kingdom. George, who arrived in the UK in 1986 at the age of 24, had faced repeated refusals from the Home Office to grant him leave to stay, complicated by past legal mishandling and serious health challenges.
Living in the UK for almost 40 years without ever returning to Nigeria, George’s journey has been marked by hardship. In 2019, he suffered two strokes that left him with speech and mobility difficulties, rendering him disabled and vulnerable. Despite these challenges, he endured years of homelessness, relying heavily on friends for shelter and support.
George’s legal struggles worsened in 2005 when his former solicitors submitted a forged entry stamp in his passport without his knowledge—a misconduct later reported to the police and legal regulatory authorities. This malpractice added further complexity to his case, causing prolonged limbo over his immigration status.
An immigration tribunal recently ruled in George’s favor, highlighting that his fear of seeking medical help over immigration concerns contributed to his health deterioration. The judge acknowledged his destitute state and the profound difficulties he faced throughout his stay in the UK.
George said after the ruling, “I don’t know how many different sofas I’ve slept on, too many to count… 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.”
His lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, expressed relief at the decision, stating, “My client has been living in limbo for almost 40 years, suffering two strokes and with no family left in Nigeria. His ordeal was due not only to Home Office policies but also because of poor representation by previous solicitors who failed to uphold professional and ethical standards.”
The ruling provides George with the long-awaited certainty to continue his life in the UK, ending decades of legal and personal uncertainty.
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