Nigerian man denies escape charge, faces deportation

A Nigerian national accused of escaping lawful immigration detention has denied the charge and is expected to be deported after being remanded.

Dennis Ikenna Nwogbu, 38, of Bishops Court Avenue, New Owerri, Nigeria, appeared before the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court, charged with escaping lawful detention between June 28 and 29, while being lawfully detained at a designated location by the Barbados Immigration Department.

He pleaded not guilty when Magistrate Manila Renee read the charge.

Addressing the court on his own behalf, Nwogbu stated that he arrived on the island last December but was deported a day later after being instructed to have certain documents resolved. He said he returned on June 28 seeking asylum.

He was remanded to Dodds Prison and is to be handed over to immigration officials for deportation next week.

(JB)