Canada orders deportation of Nigerian family despite Boko Haram threat claims

A Nigerian man who claims he was targeted by Boko Haram for converting from Islam to Christianity has lost his final legal battle to remain in Canada, setting the stage for his deportation alongside his wife and two sons.

According to Premium Times, Federal Court Justice Roger Lafrenière, in a ruling delivered last Friday, dismissed the application filed by Adeniyi Muftau Gbadamosi, his wife Olabisi Sherifat, and their children Olamilekan Malik and Olamiposi Shuaib. The family had requested a stay of removal while awaiting judicial review of a negative Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA).

The Gbadamosis, who fled Nigeria in 2018, argued that they faced imminent danger if forced to return, with Mr. Gbadamosi insisting that Boko Haram threatened his life following his conversion and outspoken criticism of the extremist sect.

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In sworn statements, he said militants attacked his home in Southern Nigeria in early 2018, killing the family’s cat, and later attempted to kidnap his son. He said the Nigerian police failed to act when he reported the incidents.

The Gbadamosis initially applied for asylum in the United States in December 2018 but failed to appear for interviews.

In July 2019, they crossed into Canada and sought refugee protection. However, Canadian authorities found them ineligible to pursue a claim because they had already filed for asylum in the U.S.

They then applied for a PRRA, submitting new evidence of alleged threats. An oral hearing was held in March 2025. Still, their application was refused on 31 March this year, with an officer concluding that the family could safely relocate to Port Harcourt in southern Nigeria. In this area, Boko Haram has little to no influence, the official argued.

In his ruling, Justice Lafrenière upheld that reasoning, finding no “serious issue” with the PRRA decision that would justify halting removal. He noted that while Mr Gbadamosi argued that the officer minimised the risks, the decision was based on extensive country evidence showing Boko Haram’s capacity to track individuals is limited outside northern Nigeria.

“The Applicants have failed to articulate any error in the PRRA Officer’s reasoning,” Justice Lafrenière wrote. “Their argument amounts to a disagreement with the weighing of the evidence.”

The family also argued that Olabisi suffers from major depressive disorder with psychotic features, producing a doctor’s note to that effect, and that removal would worsen her condition.

But the judge ruled that psychological distress linked to deportation does not meet the legal threshold of irreparable harm.

While expressing sympathy, he noted the medical note was “paltry,” undated, and lacking detail, and said claims that Nigeria’s health system could not provide adequate care did not justify a stay.

The court also dismissed the family’s argument that their pending humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application should delay removal, noting such applications are routinely processed even after removal from Canada.

Having failed to meet the legal test for a stay showing a serious issue, irreparable harm, and balance of convenience the Gbadamosis’ motion was dismissed.

Unless another court intervenes, they are scheduled to be deported to Nigeria on August 19, 2025, at 5:10 p.m. The court advises them to establish a home in Port Harcourt instead of fleeing to Canada in fear of Boko Haram.