James Adepoju, a Nigerian businessman with several businesses in Kenya has alleged being assaulted, harassed and robbed by Immigration officials at Nyayo House on Tuesday, March 19.
While narrating his ordeal online on Saturday, March 30, the businessman claimed that he was being blackmailed by immigration officers who were demanding money from him.
He further accused the officers of threatening to deport him if he did not cooperate and meet their demands. The businessman however noted that his Visa was extended for another two months giving the officers no reason to boot him.
Adepoju appealed to President William Ruto, seeking his help to get justice and to hold those responsible accountable.
"God loves you and you are our leader, please for the sake of humanity and the generations to come, please kindly come through," he stated.
He claimed that on the material date he was arrested from his home and his house turned upside down by officers who did not have a warrant.
Adepoju further alleged that the immigration officers confiscated his phone and passports preventing him from communicating with anyone. They allegedly assaulted him and forced him to transfer funds from his account to theirs.
The Nigerian businessman further claimed that he was later handcuffed and transported to Nyayo House where he was reportedly thrown in the basement where 3 men and 4 officers in uniform allegedly tortured him.
"They transported me at night with a private van and took me to an undisclosed police station. An order was issued for me not to be given food or water until I was ready to cooperate," he stated.
He further revealed that he was later taken to another police station whose situation was inhumane and unhygienic.
According to Adepoju, efforts to reach out to the Nigerian Embassy were futile and the one time he managed to get hold of one of the officials, he was asked to cooperate.
The businessman alleged that the Nigerian officials were working with Kenyan law enforcement to harass and rob Nigerians in Kenya.
"No charges but I am tortured and forced to open my active ticket to Nigeria. Money moving out of my account without my notice," he lamented.
Adepoju also alleged that the officers forced him to purchase a ticket which was going to be used to facilitate the deportation. He faulted this since, there was an officer assigned to present him in court.
While at the airport, according to his narration, he was handed back his phone but it did not have a SIM card.
He was lucky to find an employee from the United Nations at the airport who helped him renew his line. He did not board the plane and is currently within Kenya staying at an undisclosed location.
He has shared his ordeal seeking help from President Ruto and human rights activists adding that he has multimillion properties in Kenya.
"Mr. Presient, His Excellency, a father figure and a man with a big heart. My name is Adepoju Dolapo James, a human being born by humans in Lagos, Nigeria and a citizen of this earth and a law-abiding citizen of any country I have visited including Kenya," he stated.
