The UK Home Office is under fire following allegations of racial discrimination after it denied a Nigerian family a visa to visit relatives in the UK, sparking outrage among human rights advocates.
According to The Guardian, Samuel Onyekachi Ibeawuchi, head of BKay Security Ltd, one of Nigeria’s prominent private security companies, was refused a UK visit visa along with his wife and 18-month-old child.
The family had intended to spend three weeks in the UK during the summer with Ibeawuchi’s sister, Hope Ibeawuchi-Beales, and her husband, Nick Beales, a campaigner at the Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London (Ramfel).
Despite assurances from the Beales family that they would cover all travel expenses and accommodation costs, the Home Office rejected the application, claiming there was insufficient evidence that the applicants would return to Nigeria after their visit.
The rejection letter also suggested that future visa requests might be denied on similar grounds.
Officials reportedly questioned the legitimacy of Ibeawuchi’s income as a self-employed business owner, despite him submitting official registration documents for BKay Security. His company has provided high-profile protection services to former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, politicians from the UK and the US, celebrities, and athletes such as Nigerian international footballer Alex Iwobi.
Nick Beales condemned the decision, calling it part of a “blatantly racist” policy trend targeting Nigerian nationals.
“Samuel and his wife are both successful entrepreneurs. They had no intention of overstaying their visa. If we had applied a year ago, it likely would have been granted,” he said, adding that the Labour-led government seems even more hostile to Nigerians than their Conservative predecessors.
Samuel Ibeawuchi expressed disappointment over the visa denial.
“We just wanted to visit family for three weeks. We submitted all the required documents, including family photos showing our close bond. It’s disheartening,” he said.
Hope Ibeawuchi-Beales said the rejection had left her family, particularly her children, devastated.
“Our kids were so excited to show their cousin around London. How do we explain that they can’t visit because of discriminatory policies?” she said.
“I’ve successfully sponsored family before with no issues. I don’t think the Home Office even properly reviewed our documents.”
In response, the Home Office maintained that all visa applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, according to established guidelines.
A spokesperson stated: “All decisions are made based on the evidence submitted. If refused, applicants are informed of the reasons and may reapply if they can address the concerns raised.”
Sources within the department noted that financial stability and return intentions were key factors in the Ibeawuchi family’s refusal, but encouraged applicants to reapply with further documentation if necessary.
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