Nigerian Returns to Cyprus from Occupied Territories After Voluntary Departure

The Court rejected an application for a writ of habeas corpus regarding the detention of a Nigerian national at the Menogeia Detention Center for Prohibited Immigrants.

The applicant, a Nigerian national, had illegally entered the Republic of Cyprus and applied for international protection status, which was rejected. He then signed a voluntary departure statement and received €1,500 under the voluntary repatriation program, returning to Nigeria on January 19, 2024.

However, he illegally returned through the occupied territories. He was arrested and sentenced to 10 months in prison for illegal entry and violation of a previous return decision.

During his detention, he submitted a subsequent asylum application, which was deemed inadmissible. Detention and deportation orders followed, which he unsuccessfully challenged in the Administrative Court.

The Court rejected the habeas corpus application, ruling that the length of detention is not illegal, as the delay in deportation is due to the applicant's own legal actions.