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UK is considering deporting Anthony Olubunmi George, a physically challenged Nigerian resident for 38 years, citing passport stamp forgery. Despite no criminal record, George faces deportation amid legal battles.

The United Kingdom's Home Office has stirred controversy by threatening to deport Anthony Olubunmi George, a physically challenged Nigerian resident who has lived in the UK for 38 years, over an alleged forged entry stamp in his passport.

George, who left Nigeria at 24 in 1986, has built his life in the UK without any criminal convictions. Despite making numerous applications for leave to remain, all have been rejected by the Home Office, including the most recent one on May 7th.

His case mirrors that of Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old Ghanaian resident who faced a similar disappointment after spending decades in the UK. Like Shardey, George has no criminal record and has faced health challenges, including two strokes in 2019, affecting his speech and mobility.

Living through the tenures of nine prime ministers, from Margaret Thatcher to Rishi Sunak, George has endured periods of homelessness, relying on the kindness of friends for shelter. He no longer has close family ties in Nigeria.

George's legal troubles stem from a forged entry stamp submitted by his previous solicitors in 2005, a fact he claims to have been unaware of until many years later. His current lawyer, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, attributes his predicament to poor legal representation.

Despite appeals against deportation and pleas for compassion, the Home Office has remained steadfast in its decision. In a previous rejection, officials callously suggested that family and friends could visit George in Nigeria, disregarding the gravity of his situation.

For George, the prospect of deportation is not just about losing his home but also losing access to vital healthcare, exacerbating his already fragile health condition. As he navigates the complexities of the UK immigration system, George's case highlights broader issues of fairness and compassion in immigration policies.