A FORMER UBS trader who was convicted of fraud is facing ‘imminent’ deportation to Ghana.
Adoboli was moved to a detention centre close to Heathrow airport on Wednesday.
His transportation to the facility – Colnbrook immigration removal centre – follows his initial detention at Dungavel immigration removal centre in Scotland last week.
The 38-year-old is not a British citizen, even though he has lived in the UK since he was 12 years old.
Adoboli was found guilty of fraud in 2012. His actions cost Swiss bank UBS $2.3 billion.
He was released in from prison in 2015 after serving half of his seven-year sentence.
More than 73,000 people have signed a petition against his deportation. Politicians have also opposed the government’s plans to deport Adoboli, with 114 MPs and MSPs appealing for the decision to be overturned.
So far £18,624 of a £60,000 fundraising target has been pledged to help Adoboli’s legal fight.
One of the politicians supporting Adoboli’s campaign to remain in the UK is SNP MP Hannah Bardell.
“An overwhelming number of MPs (96) & MSPs (18) from every party have signed my open letter to Home Sec asking him to reconsider the deportation of my constituent Kweku Adoboli,” she wrote on Twitter.
An overwhelming number of MPs (96) & MSPs (18) from every party have signed my open letter to Home Sec asking him to reconsider the deportation of my constituent @KwekuAdoboli [2]. pic.twitter.com/WEw1bHZCeS [3]
— Hannah Bardell (@HannahB4LiviMP) September 11, 2018 [4]
His efforts to atone for his crimes include teaching at a number of universities and working with the Forward Institute.
In a statement on the Keep Kweku Crowd Justice page, his friends say: “Kweku Adoboli moved to the UK 26 years ago, at the age of 12, and has lived here ever since. The Home Office is aggressively trying to deport him to Ghana, away from the country he calls home and his closest friends. We, his friends in the UK, are his family. He is godfather to 7 of our children, was Best Man at 3 of our weddings, helps us push wheelchairs up mountains, and is our best friend, brother and son.”
He has “been punished and paid a heavy price” but had “been busy doing his utmost to make amends to society,” The Times reported Jacqui McKenzie, Adoboli’s solicitor said.
In an interview with The Guardian Adoboli said: “I did four years in prison for a non-violent act...I’ve served my time, but I’m being given an extra punishment – a banishment – and just because I didn’t get around to becoming a citizen. This punishment is so much worse than being in prison.”
.@KwekuAdoboli [2] was detained this morning, will be taken to Dungavel detention centre & risks imminent deportation by @ukhomeoffice [5] despite legal & political representations by his lawyers @JacquiMckenzie6 [6] & MP @HannahB4LiviMP [7]. @sajidjavid [8] can put an end to this now. #KeepKweku [9] pic.twitter.com/qAeKwl2CFS [10]
— KeepKweku (@KeepKweku) September 3, 2018 [11]
DETENTION CENTRE: Footage from the Keep Kweku campaign group of Adoboli being taken to an immigration removal centre earlier this month
It is understood that the government has set a date for Adboli’s deportation. A flight is believed to be scheduled for Tuesday (September 18) to Ghana.
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