Grace Ranti Cole, with her children, Esther and Joseph, photo via assistnews.net

Members of a Baptist church in Leeds deported to Nigeria

Members of a Baptist church in Leeds, England, are coming to terms with the deportation of one of their congregation, in a case which highlights concerns about the UK's asylum system, reports Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries.

According to the UK-based Baptist Times, Grace Ranti Cole, a qualified accountant, was flown back to Nigeria last Sunday after an 18-month struggle to remain in Great Britain.

“Grace had settled in Leeds with two of her four children, and had

become a valued member of Moortown Baptist Church and her local community,” said the Baptist Times story.

“Prior to seeking asylum in the UK, she had received death threats in three different areas of Nigeria, and once in the Gambia.

“Her problems stem from a promise made by her father of her hand in marriage to the son of a Muslim imam who had healed him of serious illness more than 20 years ago.

“After her father's death Grace fled from the imam, whose family subsequently tracked her down on three more occasions, each time issuing death threats if she did not return.

“During this period, she was disowned by her family following her conversion to Christianity and refusal to marry the imam's son.”

The story went on to say that she came to England in 2004 with her husband, who she subsequently left after being subjected to domestic violence.

Her battle to claim asylum mirrored some of the problems highlighted by West Yorkshire Ecumenical Council, whose wide-ranging statement on some of the “inhumane” aspects of the UK's asylum system was featured on the front page of last week's Baptist Times.

These included two traumatic 6am calls to transfer her to a detention centre, despite not having been informed that her claim for asylum had been refused.

“On one occasion her phone was snatched from her hand by officials as she tried to call her MP, who had secured an agreement that she would not be detained while he was making representations on her behalf,” said the Baptist Times.

“A rogue solicitor also failed to do the promised work on a judicial review, and on December 17 she was told her file had been closed.”

A late bid to grant her discretionary leave on compassionate grounds was unsuccessful, and she was deported last Sunday.

Hilary Willmer, from Moortown Baptist Church, who has been involved in Grace's case, told The Baptist Times, “Grace was very frightened about the possibility of returning to Nigeria. She is a lovely person who has had a huge impact on the church.

'The church has been very engaged in her case - when it is some you know and care for, it brings it all home.

“We protested strongly against the way Grace and her children were treated, both with regards to the action taken and how it was done. On a personal note I have been ashamed at the way this family has been treated.”

New iPad POLL! VOTE NOW! Will you buy new iPad?

[02/18/2008]

Print Version