A South African immigration lawyer has detailed the legal challenges facing former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina, explaining that her citizenship was revoked due to her mother's alleged fraud and that she has been declared a prohibited person, leaving her with little chance of remaining in the country.
Why Adetshina's Citizenship Was Revoked
Craig Smith, speaking in a television interview, explained that the Department of Home Affairs determined that Adetshina's mother obtained South African citizenship fraudulently. As a result, Adetshina's derivative citizenship was also revoked. Smith expressed skepticism about her legal challenge before the High Court in the Western Cape, stating: "I don't really see an out in this regard. I can't see how they're going to succeed in turning that decision around because it was predicated on fraud."
Adetshina Declared a Prohibited Person
Beyond the citizenship issue, Smith highlighted that because Adetshina held a fraudulent identification document, Home Affairs declared her a prohibited person under the Immigration Act. This designation disqualifies her from holding any visa, including a visitor's visa. Smith alleged that Adetshina entered South Africa from Mozambique on a visitor's visa despite being prohibited, and she and her son were detained for deportation before being released. The deportation matter is before a Magistrate's Court, though magistrates lack authority to issue deportation orders under the current Act, which is itself under legal dispute. Smith concluded: "Home Affairs declared her a prohibited person, which means that you are disqualified from any visa status in South Africa. That includes a visitor's visa."
Nigerians React to Adetshina's Immigration Saga
Social media users expressed mixed reactions. User maddisonweiss7 urged someone to help her apply for asylum elsewhere, saying: "This is truly heartbreaking... I sincerely hope she finds safety." Tosinhood noted her birthplace and upbringing in South Africa, arguing: "Whatever her mother did will have a legal bearing... but let's not pretend not to understand her struggle." Others like tuchijava questioned the media focus, while nenny_media_tv accused her of only facing scrutiny after representing Nigeria. Baronbigname criticized her return to South Africa after Nigeria embraced her.
The combined legal hurdles place Adetshina in a precarious position, with the path to lawful residence in South Africa appearing increasingly narrow. Her case continues to draw attention as she fights both the citizenship revocation and the prohibited person designation.
