Judge allows Nigerian clerics to stay

There was a mad dash on Tuesday for attorneys representing two Nigerian clerics to fax to the Immigration Office in Tobago a judge’s order allowing them to remain in the country.

The order allowing Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode and Musibau Akanni Olagboyega to remain was granted by Justice Joan Charles at about 5 pm on Tuesday.

The clerics’ flight arrived at the Arthur NR Robinson Airport at about 5.40 pm and their attorneys hurriedly had the judge’s order faxed to Tobago.

The two were initially denied entry into the country on December 5 and an immigration officer on duty in Tobago ordered that they should be sent back to Germany.

In their judicial review application, filed this week by attorneys Jagdeo Singh, Kiel Tacklalsingh, Criston J Williams and Shirvani Ramkissoon, the two said they presented all their documentation, including electronic visas.

They also said, when asked for their missionary permits they said they did not need one, since their stay was going to be for less than 30 days.

They also presented their return tickets but were still denied entry.

At an emergency hearing on Wednesday, the judge granted them permission to pursue their case against the Chief Immigration Officer and to remain in TT until she gives a further order.

The CIO was also ordered to put the two under supervision. The case comes up for hearing today, when the two are expected to be present in court.