US rapper detained by Canadian immigration
January 13 2010 by Liam Clifford
US rapper Lloyd Banks was released from jail on bail on 12 January, only to be detained by Canadian immigration authorities.
The rapper and member of G-Unit, a group of rappers once fronted by
Eminem, was arrested after allegedly assaulting and robbing a concert
promoter in Canada. A spokesperson for the Ontario Police says he is in
the custody of Canadian immigration officials but no more details are
available at this time.
Both Banks and his friend Nicklas Sloane was detained over the alleged
assault, for which two others were also jailed. However, the two other
men are thought to have returned back to the US yesterday.
Banks’s lawyer, Patrick Ducharme, said the case could result in Banks
having to stay living in Canada for some time while the matter is
resolved. He explained that it will take three or four weeks for the
evidence to be gathered against Banks, and a further three to four
weeks for him to review the evidence.
Banks is expected to plead not guilty and the case could take over a
year if it stays in the lower courts, says Ducharme. Whether Canadian
immigration wants Banks to remain living in Canada in the meantime will
affect whether the rapper can return home.
Alternatively, an immigration review to take place later this week may rule that Banks can return home as soon as next week.
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