A hearing challenging the continued detention of a Nigerian doctor being held in Mountjoy prison was adjourned in the High Court today.
Dr Grant Oyeye (35), who has enrolled for a 10-week course in tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, was detained by gardaí at Dublin Airport on Tuesday of last week.
Dr Oyeye was detained after immigration officials learned through Irish Embassy staff in Nigeria the hospital where he said he worked reported that he had not been working there for over six months.
In an affidavit read to the court today counsel for Dr Oyeye, Mr Peter Finlay SC, said a fax was subsequently received from the Nigerian hospital stating Dr Oyeye did in fact work for the hospital but was currently seconded to an affiliate hospital in a remote region.
The court also heard Dr Oyeye held a valid passport and entry visa issued by the Irish Embassy in Nigeria. During detention at Dublin Airport Dr Oyeye was questioned as to why he only had a one-way ticket and "insufficient funds" for a 10-week stay in Ireland.
He was also asked why he arrived in Dublin three weeks in advance of his course, for which he failed to give an explanation.
In an affidavit Dr Oyeye said he had explained to the officials a one-way airline ticket was cheaper and Dutch airline KLM had told him students did not require a return ticket. The court also heard how Dr Oyeye arrived in Ireland with £3,000 sterling and US$400.
The inquiry into the legality of Dr Oyeye’s detention resumes tomorrow morning.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly is expected to hear evidence from counsel representing immigration officials at Dublin Airport.