Emmanuel Jack, a Nigerian national convicted of romance fraud in 2014, has been spared deportation from the UK after a judge ruled that his family’s medical needs cannot be met by the Nigerian healthcare system.
Jack was jailed for three years for tricking six vulnerable women into paying him £186,000 by posing as an architect on dating websites. He came to Britain in 1997, but between 2011 and 2012, he targeted women in the UK and the USA, working with a co-offender to carry out the fraudulent campaign.
However, his legal team argued that deporting him would be too harsh on his British wife and children. “The appellant’s family members are British citizens, and they have serious health issues that cannot be adequately addressed in Nigeria,” said the immigration and asylum tribunal in its ruling.
Jack’s wife and children have significant medical needs, including a child with sickle cell disease, which requires regular blood transfusions and medical care. The tribunal found that the Nigerian healthcare system is not equipped to provide the necessary medical care for Jack’s family.
“The Nigerian healthcare system is not capable of providing the same level of medical care as the UK,” said the tribunal. “Deporting the appellant would be a breach of his family’s right to respect for their private and family life.”
The Home Office had determined in 2022 that Jack should be deported back to Nigeria, but the tribunal’s ruling has overturned that decision. The tribunal’s decision was based on the human rights of Jack’s family, particularly his children, who are British citizens and have significant medical needs.
“We are pleased that the tribunal has recognized the importance of keeping families together and the need to protect the human rights of all individuals,” said Jack’s lawyer. The lawyer added that the decision is a significant victory for Jack and his family, who have been fighting against deportation for several years.
The case highlights the complexities of deportation cases, particularly when they involve families with significant medical needs. It also raises questions about the ability of the Nigerian healthcare system to provide adequate medical care for individuals with serious health conditions.