Nigerian suspect who has been convicted of armed robbery has been granted permission to remain in the United Kingdom because he believes that he is possessed by demons.
According to a report that was published on Telegraph on Sunday, a Nigerian suspect who has been convicted of armed robbery and distributing crack cocaine has been granted permission to remain in the United Kingdom because he believes that he is possessed by demons.
In 2011, the man was sentenced to seven years in prison for committing an armed robbery on a brothel. Years later, in 2018, he was sentenced to another seven years in prison for crack cocaine distribution.
Despite the fact that he was subject to a deportation order in April of 2014, he filed an appeal against the decision on the grounds that it violated his human rights.
A significant portion of the criminal’s time in the United Kingdom has been spent in a secure mental health institution, where he has been treated for severe psychiatric disorders, as reported by The Telegraph. The identify of the criminal cannot be disclosed for legal reasons.
“Suffered from a trauma-related disorder with psychotic features,” the appellant received a diagnosis from a medical professional.
According to the findings of his report, the offender was plagued by reoccurring dreams and intrusive recollections, and he was fascinated with the idea that demonic entities were “playing tricks with his mind.”
In the case, a higher tribunal judge named Stephen Smith presided over the proceedings and came to the conclusion that a prior judge had committed a legal error.
As a result of the man’s persistent belief that his mental health problems were the product of possession by demons, he determined that this belief would increase the possibility that other people would perceive his condition as a sign of possession.
He acknowledged the man’s belief. It was said by him that they take into consideration the appellant’s persistent belief that his mental illness is a consequence of being possessed.
“We note the appellant’s recurring belief that his mental ill-health is a result of being possessed.
“We assess that him expressing this belief would increase the likelihood that others will see his illness as being a manifestation of possession.”
In addition, the court took note of the fact that a study compiled by Amnesty International emphasized the dangers that the individual would be exposed to if he were to return to Nigeria, a country where there is a widespread belief in witchcraft and demonic spirits.
The report indicated that these ideas would most likely exacerbate his illness and put him at danger of being taken advantage of.
It reads, “It is our assessment that on return to Nigeria [the appellant] is likely to encounter widespread attitudes that confirm and amplify his belief in demonic forces and witchcraft as being at the root of his problems.
“He is, moreover, at substantial risk of being identified as suffering from demonic forces and faces a resultant risk of being targeted as a result.”
There is a highly organized treatment setting in the United Kingdom, where the man is receiving care that would not be available to him in Nigeria.
The judges came to the conclusion that deporting the man would not be appropriate since it would remove him from this environment.
Participating in community activities, such as going to the gym on a regular basis and volunteering, has been the man’s way of expressing his wish to move away from criminal activity.
In light of the fact that a fresh hearing can now take place, the individual continues to reside in the United Kingdom.
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