Suicide detention girl has been released

The high profile case of Adeoti Ogunsala, the 10-year-old Nigerian girl who attempted multiple suicides while being held in detention has been resolved with the young girl finally being freed.

The failed asylum seeker was released by the UK Border Agency along with her mother Clementina from the Tinsley House centre near Gatwick Airport. The pair has been granted a temporary release which will allow them to appeal against their deportation case which was scheduled for last week.

Adeoti had tried to strangle herself while in the Tinsley centre after being removed from her place of residence with her aunt ahead of the expected deportation. The pair is now legally allowed to challenge their removal from Britain via the Immigration Appeals Tribunal, having first being detained in June after their asylum request was rejected.

The change of heart was demanded by Home Secretary Alan Johnson who ordered High Court judges to release the mother and daughter although the UK Border Agency denies this claim saying it was rather an operational decision on their part.

David Wood, the strategic director for the UKBA’s criminality and detention group claimed that there was no ministerial influence on the agency’s decision and that the move was made after a routine review of the case. Wood said that detention is only enforced when absolutely necessary and though it was lawful the mental and emotional status of the young girl had prompted her release.

The case has resulted in massive public and political backlash against the UKBA with human rights, welfare and medical groups all slamming the decision to incarcerate the suicide prone Adeoti. There are also concerns that the pair may be electronically tagged on their release but most authorities have  agreed that a full rights appeal will be undertaken.