"Death sentence" deportation sparks student occupation

Luqman Onikosi, a recent graduate from Sussex, was midway through his course when he received his diagnosis. He had hepatitis B, and it was news that was shattering; the very same disease took the lives of two of his brothers. Since then he has developed cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease too.

Luqman studied for his BA at Sussex, and on graduation began work at the Nigerian embassy in London. As his health continued to deteriorate, Luqman returned to education, making his way back to study at his former university as he made a concerted effort to recuperate. No longer in possession of a visa, a direct consequence of his inability to work, Luqman applied to the UK government for leave to remain in Britain on medical grounds. It was a request that was eventually rejected.

Luqman Onikosi

While completing his masters dissertation his plea to remain on human rights grounds was also summarily rejected, a decision those close to him have labelled a death sentence from the state. No longer legally entitled to study, the university soon revoked his student status on the direction of the Home Office.

On Wednesday students stormed a university building and went into occupation, with the intention of highlight Luqman’s cause. They’re also demanding the University do more to fight for their alumni’s survival. The occupation is now well into its second day at the campus in the south of England, an institution with activism and social justice deep rooted in both its students and staff.

“Having survived the night, we have managed to bolster our numbers by forcing through a line of security guards”, reads their statement, and they say it’s a sign that they’re intending to stay. What follows, a statement sent to HUCK by the protestors, outlines their reasons for doing so.