African university lecturer to sue UK immigration
September 30 2009 by Mark Johnstone
UK immigration in legal fight
A Congolese university lecturer is set to sue the British government after he was allegedly wrongfully detained by UK immigration officials in Northern Ireland.
Jean-Pierre Djimbonge, 51, had his stay in the UK lifted by Justice Ronnie Weatherup in Belfast High Court and vowed to return home of his own accord to fight his case against the UK Border Agency.
The engineering expert was arrested coming off a flight from London to Belfast earlier this month and detained in five detention centres across the UK under immigration law. He was freed earlier this week.
But Djimbonge claims he had valid a UK visa and support documents to justify him legitimately living and working in the UK.
Djimbonge's lawyer, Steven McQuitty, said:
“The applicant wishes to return to his country of origin but still wishes to fight his case.”
Djimbonge’s legal team is looking to win compensation on behalf of their client and a judicial review of the government agency’s claim against him.
The UK Border Agency alleged that Djimbonge was planning to break UK visa law to gain entry to the Republic of Ireland.
They wanted to deport the lecturer back to the Congo, but agreed to allow the accused to remain in the UK his case could be assessed following an urgent appeal by Djimbonge.
The case will proceed to a full hearing beginning on October 9.
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