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Deport Roy Ekundayo Ajala
Roy Ekundayo Ajala is 18 years old and
came to this country from Nigeria when he was 11 in order to join his
parents who were already here. He came on a false passport because he
did not have one. He had been living with his uncle in Nigeria but life
had not been easy for him there. He and his brother were beaten continuously
by their uncle. He was excited to be coming to Britain to be reunited
with his parents. Of course, at the age of 11, he could have no idea that
he was being brought in illegally.
But Roy's life was not to prove any easier
in the UK. Roy's father claimed asylum on behalf of the whole family.
After settling briefly in North London, Roy's father took the two brothers
to Ireland where he proceeded to physically and sexually abuse them. They
were taken into care in Ireland when the authorities became aware of their
situation. Roy stayed in care for a couple of months before returning
to London to live with his mother. But his father returned and the abuse
continued and Roy again went into care, this time in London. Roy began
to experience problems with depression. He went into the Nile Centre which
provides support to young people with mental health problems. After a
couple of months there he was found accommodated by social services in
a residential care home. He was treated at St Leonard's Hospital and received
support from the Off Centre, a counselling centre for young people. His
counsellor, Nigel Consiglio expressed his concern that deportation would
"damage my client emotionally, psychologically and socially and that
we would be in grave danger of becoming psychiatrically unwell."
Roy was advised to separate his asylum
application from his parents and made an application in his own right.
He was granted ELR (exceptional leave to remain) until his 18th birthday.
When he turned 18 his asylum application was refused. He appealed this
refusal and again was refused on the grounds that his case did not apply
under the terms of the 1951 Geneva Convention. He also made a human rights
appeal which was dismissed.
Roy may not fit the Geneva Convention's
definition of a refugee, but he is still someone who requires the protection
of this country. He was abused in his native Nigeria and has no one to
return to there. He was brought here as a child and suffered abuse at
the hands of his father and has required the support of social services
and health care services to help him deal with the resulting problems.
Roy is an extremely vulnerable young man who through circumstances beyond
his control faces deportation to a country he no longer considers home
and where he will get no support.
Roy has integrated into British society
and considers London his home. He has the support of the many friends
he has made during his 7 years in the country. He says his friends have
shown him the love and care he could not get from his family and he would
be lost without them. At present he is homeless and cannot get support
because he has no immigration status. He cannot work, nor can he claim
benefits.
His last hope is that the Home Secretary
will allow him to stay on compassionate grounds.
What you can do to help
Fax/write to the Home Secretary David Blunkett,
using the model
letter 'Attached', which you can copy/amend/write your own.
Fax no: 020 7273 3965 from outside the UK + 44 20 7273 3965
Or write to:
David Blunkett
Home Secretary
Home Office
50 Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AT
Please take time to send a copy of anything sent to:
Don't Deport Roy Ekundayo Ajala
c/o NCADC
Cambridge House
131 Camberwell Road
London SE5 0HF
Enquiries/further information:
Allison Bennett
Phone: 020 7701 5197
ncadc-london@ncadc.org.uk
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