Nigerian Romance Fraudster Avoids Deportation Due to Family Medical Needs
A Nigerian man convicted of romance fraud, Emmanuel Jack, has successfully fought against deportation from the UK after a London immigration tribunal found that removing him would cause undue hardship for his family, who depend on his care for significant medical issues.
Jack, 35, previously served a three-year prison sentence after conning six vulnerable women out of nearly £200,000 while posing as an architect on various dating websites. Following his release, the Home Office decided in 2022 to deport him back to Nigeria, a country he left as a child at the age of 10. Jack then initiated a legal campaign to remain in the UK, citing his family’s needs.
The tribunal, overseen by judges Victor Rae-Reeves and Luke Bulpitt, ruled in Jack’s favor, indicating that his deportation would greatly impact his British wife and children, who are managing complex health conditions that require continuous support and medical attention. Jack’s wife experiences complications from pregnancy, while their 18-month-old son, born prematurely, faces severe developmental challenges that necessitate specialized care. Additionally, Jack’s six-year-old daughter struggles with vision problems, and his 16-year-old daughter from a previous relationship relies on his support.
In a heartfelt letter, Jack’s eldest daughter described the pivotal role he plays in their family dynamic, warning that they would struggle to cope without him. Their priest echoed these sentiments, asserting that Jack’s removal would have catastrophic consequences for their family life.
The tribunal noted, “We have found that [the wife and two children] are all receiving long-term care for acute medical conditions,” and highlighted the ongoing support and specialized treatment they receive from UK healthcare professionals. The judges expressed concern over the Nigerian healthcare system’s inability to provide comparable care, stressing that uprooting them would disrupt ongoing medical investigations and treatment plans.
The panel recognized Jack’s significant involvement in his children’s care, characterizing him as a devoted and hands-on father. They emphasized that his absence would adversely affect the family’s health and well-being, particularly as his wife may struggle with the practical tasks necessary to support their children.
“We conclude that, given the extremely close relationships that, in these particular circumstances [Mr. Jack] shares with his family,” the tribunal conveyed, “his separation due to deportation would inflict considerable emotional and psychological distress, far surpassing the impact typically seen in less close-knit family situations.”
The judges reflected on Jack’s background, noting that he arrived in the UK in 1997 with indefinite leave to remain and later pursued a business degree at the University of Salford. Unfortunately, between 2011 and 2012, he was responsible for defrauding women in the UK and the USA alongside a co-offender, using various aliases.
In March 2014, he was convicted and sentenced, and although he initially obtained British citizenship, it was later revoked by the Home Office, which led to the final decision to deport him.
After his release, Jack married a British woman, and they have been together for over six years. He argued that deportation would disrupt the private life he has established in the UK and would unduly impact his family’s well-being.
Ultimately, the tribunal ruled that while the public interest in deporting foreign criminals must be upheld, the particular circumstances of Jack’s family warranted an exception.
Join our Channel...