Nigerian mother loses court challenge

THE High Court has dismissed a legal challenge aimed at preventing the deportation of a Nigerian woman who claims her two daughters are at risk of serious harm due to female genital mutilation (FGM) if returned to Nigeria.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Brian McGovern refused an application by Pamela Izevbekhai and her daughters, Naomi, 7, and Jemima, 6, to set aside a decision by the Justice Minister not to consider their claim for “subsidiary protection”.

Following the judgment Ms Izevbekhai said that an appeal to the Supreme Court was likely.