Meadows mum speaks of deportation ordeal

A MOTHER who was held in an immigration detention centre for five days has spoken about her ordeal.

Selina Adda was released from the Yarl's Wood centre in Bedford on Friday, after being held following a mix-up in her appeal against deportation.

She said it was terrifying for her and her two young children, Brian, eight, and Chelsea, four.

Miss Adda said: "I was very nervous and very scared. I didn't sleep at all while I was there.

"Chelsea would not eat and developed a rash and I kept vomiting."

Eight immigration officers went to Miss Adda's house in The Meadows at 7am last Monday and she and her children were taken to the centre.

The officers turned up with a letter refusing Miss Adda's application to stay in the country. She had believed her case was still being reviewed.

She said: "They opened the door themselves with a key from the housing provider and brought three bags to pack.

"They took us to the police station and transferred us to the centre in a caged van.

"I wasn't allowed to call anyone until I got to the centre.

"Chelsea was crying and Brian kept asking what was happening."

Miss Adda sought asylum in Nottingham four years ago after fleeing from Ghana.

She was betrothed to marry a Muslim man 30 years older than her and ran away to the country's capital Accra.

Her tribe found her and she was told that if she did not marry the man her mother would die. When she fled her sister was promised in exchange and poisoned herself.

Miss Adda said: "Going back would be awful, especially for the children.

"Brian has built his life here now and goes to school here."

Friends of Miss Adda spent last week campaigning for her release. When they paid for a solicitor to fight her case, a temporary injunction was placed against her deportation.

Miss Adda said: "Chelsea started screaming because she was so happy.

"I was crying at all the people who had been fighting for me and my children."

Miss Adda's solicitors have now applied for a judicial review of the decision to deport her. She has returned to her house in The Meadows.

tanya.holden@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk