London, 23 September 2025 — A 63-year-old Nigerian, Anthony Olubunmi George, has won a landmark appeal that grants him the right to stay in the United Kingdom after nearly four decades of legal uncertainty.
George, who first arrived in the UK in 1986 at the age of 24, never returned to Nigeria and has had no criminal record during his time there. Over the years, he endured periods of homelessness, relied on friends for shelter, and faced profound health challenges.
In 2019, George suffered two strokes that left him with serious speech and mobility impairments. He also revealed before the tribunal that he had avoided going to a GP in fear of jeopardizing his immigration status — which may have contributed to his deteriorating health.
Complicating his case was a 2005 incident in which his former solicitors submitted a forged entry stamp in his passport without his knowledge. That took a significant toll on his legal standing. The solicitor involved was later struck off, and the forgery was reported to legal regulatory bodies.
During the appeal hearing, the immigration judge acknowledged George’s hardships and approved his plea to remain, noting his destitute situation and the serious health risks he faced.
Upon hearing the decision, George said:
“I’m so happy I don’t know what to say; My life has just begun again. Before I didn’t have hope, but now by God’s grace I can move forward with my life.”
His legal representative, Naga Kandiah of MTC Solicitors, described the outcome as overdue justice. He noted that George had lived in legal limbo for nearly 40 years, with no close family left in Nigeria. Kandiah also criticized George’s previous legal representation for failing to maintain proper professional and ethical standards.