I’m a Specialist Covid infection control scientist and the Home Office wants to remove me to Nigeria.

Who am I?

My name is Charles Oti and I am a 46 year-old-man born in Nigeria. 

I have been offered a job as an NHS biomedical scientist to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic. This is one of the jobs that features in the 2020/2021 National Shortage Occupation list and is currently number 2 on the government’s most sought-after skilled position. However, the Home Office failed to consider that along with other evidence I submitted in support of my application to remain in the UK. Instead, the Home Office certified my claim as ‘clearly unfounded’.

My story

My job is about helping people and saving lives, and it has been extremely frustrating not being allowed to contribute during this pressing vital period. I should have been involved in the fight against the virus as a biomedical scientist and part of the Covid-19 pandemic intervention team.

Before I was banned from working by the Home Office, I was a permanent staff of the NHS in Greater London area from 2015-2019 and specialised in coordinating Infection Control and Medical devices projects including mobilization and demomobilization of clinical services. As a trained microbiologist with a master’s degree in Healthcare “project management” from a London University, my responsibility also involves ensuring through practical, technical and auditing procedures that the Medical Devices used during diagnosis, prevention and treatment of patients and training of clinical staff are free from contamination in compliant with CQC and MHRA standards for best patient experience and safety. This has saved and avoided cost for the NHS to the tune of about £300,000.

I moved legally to the UK with my ex-partner in 2012 with a resident permit and after the relationship broke down, I was faced with a number of problems with resident permit extensions. The Home Office tried to remove me to Nigeria. In 2017 I submitted a human rights claim in an attempt to explain to the Home Office why I needed to stay in the UK which the Home Office refused and certified as clearly unfounded. The most recent refusal of my human rights claim is from January 2021. 

In that most recent decision, the Home Office did not even bother to consider the evidence I provided to them. They did not consider or take into account or even mention the fact I have been offered a job as an NHS biomedical scientist for covid-19 pandemic intervention. They did not even consider their own internal medical report which states that I am a victim of racial hate attack/torture with PTSD which is part of the application claim.

You can read more about my case in The Guardian here.

Why am I raising funds?

To take this legal action, I will need help with my legal costs. I am not eligible for legal aid as my partner is working. My lawyers have agreed to act at significantly discounted rates in view of the nature of the case, but I also will have to pay court fees and there is a chance that if I lose, I would have to pay the costs of the other side. I need to fundraise so that I have some protection against these legal costs.

What's at stake?

I have no history of any arrest or criminal record and have always complied with the law by staying out of trouble. I would like to be treated with dignity and respect. I consider the UK my home, I have a British partner and have created many close friends and personal connections which I regard as family members. 

I would like to be given the opportunity to remain in the UK with my family so that I can continue helping the country in this extremely important period of its history.