Adebowale Kazeem Adebola, a Christian convert, came to the UK fleeing religious persecution. Threatened and attacked in Nigeria by radical Islamists, he sought safety in the UK. Immediately detained upon arrival, his asylum claim was placed in the non-suspensive appeal procedure. Currently in detention, he awaits his deportation date with no right to appeal his asylum refusal in the UK.
Persecution in increasingly unstable Nigeria
Although Adebowale’s mother was Christian, he grew up a Muslim. In his early 20’s Adebowale became active with the Islamic group, Arewa Youth Forum. He regularly attended meetings and conferences on Islam in his local area, and became very well known, becoming a member in 2001. Over time he became concerned about the groups links with radical terrorists organisations, particularly the Boko Haram, and in 2007 he converted to Christianity.
After his conversion he began receiving death threats from people stating they were from Boko Haram. He became worried about his personal safety. Since his conversion to Christianity, Adebowale has been attacked three times in the street by Islamists linked to Boko Haram.
On one occasion three men leaped from a car, I was dragged from a taxi and hit with Machetes..... I thought I was going to die......the men believed I was behind the arrest of the leader of Boko Haram. They thought I was giving information about them to the government.
In December, Adebowale’s mother was killed by Boko Haram. This year, his friend who was a Christian Lecturer was killed in a Boko Haram bomb attack. Adebowale received an increased number of death threats. Adebowale had no choice but to flee his country to find safety.
The 2012, Human Rights Report, Spiraling Violence: Boko Haram and security forces abuses describes the ‘widespread and systematic murder by the Boko Haram......with more than 1,500 people dead’. ‘In the first nine months of 2012 alone, more than 815 people died in some 275 suspected attacks by the group- more than in all of 2010 and 2011 combined’. With tactics ranging from executions to bomb attacks.
Amnesty International, in their 2012 Country Report on Nigeria, described the ‘human rights situation [in Nigeria] deteriorating rapidly’ and the ‘justice system ineffective’. This week a suicide bomb, targeting Christians in the Kaduna Catholic Church, killed many- at present the death toll is unconfirmed. Reprisal attacks are becoming common and the instability is growing.
Adebowale's asylum case
Adebowale application for asylum in the UK was certified in the non suspensive appeal process, his claim was rejected only 15 days after he claimed asylum, thus giving him no chance to gather the evidence needed to support his claim. With his case certified under the non suspensive appeals process, Adebowale has no right to appeal this decision from inside the UK.
For Adebowale the real threat of persecution and violence hangs over him - he is living in fear of receiving a ticket for deportation.
Support Adebowale to exercise his right to justice.
What you can do
Write a letter of protest to the Home Secretary, Theresa May.
If you are sending letters or faxes, remember to sign and date the letters. If you receive any response from the Home Office, please let us know via [email protected]. It's best to write in your own words; alternatively you can use the model letter.
Please quote Adebowale’s home office reference number A1812461
Theresa May, MP
Secretary of State for the Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1 4DF
Fax
020 7035 4745
(00 44 20 7035 4745 if you are faxing from outside UK)
[email protected]
[email protected]
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[email protected]
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