Federal Judge Condemns ICE Deportation of Nigerian Man Tortured by His Government

A federal judge in California sharply criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deporting a Nigerian man who had been found to have endured torture by his home government and was protected from removal under the Convention Against Torture. The ruling, issued on August 27, 2026, demands the government disclose the man’s whereabouts and outline any plans to bring him back to the United States.

Background of Deportation and Torture Protections

Etinosa Osahon, 49, arrived in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident in 2002. Despite a federal conviction related to mail theft, bank fraud, and identity theft, an immigration judge granted him protection from removal in 2012 after establishing that Nigerian officials tortured him on multiple occasions. The abuses included beatings, being tied to a tree, forced exposure to the sun, and being hung from a ceiling to coerce a confession.

Following that ruling, Osahon remained under an immigration supervision order for 14 years, consistently complying with all ICE check-ins. During this time, he married a U.S. citizen, and the couple raised three children, all born in the United States.

Controversial Deportation and Current Status

In May 2026, Osahon was summoned to an ICE office in Los Angeles under the impression it was a routine appointment. Instead, he was detained and moved through several facilities before being flown to Ghana. From there, Ghanaian authorities informed him that he would be returned to Nigeria, where he feared further torture.

Osahon managed to avoid deportation to Nigeria by fleeing to neighboring Togo, where he is currently in hiding. His attorneys report that he has contracted malaria, lacks legal status to work or reside in Togo, and faces limited access to healthcare. Meanwhile, he remains separated from his wife and children in California.

Judge’s Strong Criticism of ICE and Legal Implications

Judge Michelle Williams Court of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California sharply rebuked federal officials, stating the deportation was a “flagrant violation” of both internal regulations and the Fifth Amendment’s due process protections. The judge emphasized that ICE failed to follow necessary procedural safeguards required to revoke Osahon’s order of supervision and terminate his torture protection status.

Although the court dismissed some habeas corpus claims on grounds that Osahon was no longer in U.S. custody when he filed the petition, it allowed his constitutional and statutory claims to proceed as a civil lawsuit. The ruling highlights the government’s likely failure to comply with key immigration and human rights laws.

Broader Context and Community Impact

The case comes amid heightened tensions between ICE and immigrant communities in California and across the nation. Recent weeks have seen protests and standoffs at locations like the Ventura County Government Center, reflecting widespread concern over deportations perceived as unjust or unlawful.

Osahon’s deportation underscores concerns about the treatment of individuals with documented claims of torture and the government’s responsibilities under international agreements such as the Convention Against Torture. Advocates argue that deporting vulnerable individuals without due process not only violates legal protections but causes severe humanitarian consequences.

Osahon’s attorneys and advocacy groups are calling for urgent action to return him safely to the United States and to ensure that immigration enforcement agencies respect the legal safeguards designed to protect people from inhumane treatment abroad. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond publicly to the court’s order or the ongoing lawsuit.