Introduction
My name is Joy Ajamikoko. I was born on the 16th of February,2000. I am from Nigeria in West Africa; Ethiope East Local government Area of Delta State. I am currently a mother of 3 children.
I am hereinafter (a ‘respondent’) seeks Asylum and hereby declares as follows:
1. My name is Joy Ajamikoko. I am the respondent in the removal proceeding. I respectfully seek for Asylum and Withholding of Removal under Section241(b)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended and for Relief under Article3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture or Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Female Genital mutilation/Circumcision
2. I am seeking asylum, withholding and /or deferral of removal because I am afraid that I will face horrible acts of genital mutilation and circumcision kidnap, psychological torture, and/or death in my home country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I suffered from genital mutilation as a child in Nigeria. It is a procedure that involves partial or completely removing of the external females’ genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whenever for non-medical reasons. The practice is considered harmful to girls and women which is a violation of human rights. I experienced this genital mutilation and circumcision first hand at the age of eight along with my community members of same age. We bled and cried for days while our parents rejoice for whatever reasons best known to them. Evidently, most of us that were mutilated and circumcised that same year were infected and died. Few others bled to date also because of the inability to stop the bleeding. I was very lucky to survive it all, though not without effect. Female Genital Mutilation causes infertility, maternal death, infections, and the loss of sexual pleasure. That, I wouldn’t want for my children. Despite the graveness of the issue, the practicing societies which Includes my very own community look on it as an integral part of their tradition and cultural identity. In the communities that follow excision of female genitalia, FGM/C is associated with ethnicity, culture, prevailing social norms, and sometimes as religious obligations.
Circumcision is widely recognized as a violation of human rights, which is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and perceptions over decades and generations with no easy task for change.
Nigeria, due to its large population, has the highest absolute number of female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide, accounting for about one- quarter of the estimated 115–130 million circumcised women in the world. To be more precise about the evils of circumcision and genital mutilation that had eaten deep into my country which prompted my seeking ASYLUM. In Nigeria, FGM has the highest prevalence in the south-south (77%) (among adult women), followed by the south east (68%) and south west (65%), but practiced on a smaller scale in the north, paradoxically tending to in a more extreme form. My state is within the south- south region.
The method of this circumcision and mutilation varies from region to region in Nigeria. My region practice the most severe of genital mutilation and circumcision which involves introcision and gishiri cuts, pricking, piercing, or incision of the clitoris and/or labia, scraping and/or cutting of the vagina (angrya cuts), stretching the clitoris and/or labia, cauterization, the introduction of corrosive substances and herbs in the vagina, and other forms. The trauma is unbearable. I vow never to allow my children be involved in this act which must happen if we go back to Nigeria. Because you have no option but to align with the tradition which in cases like this demands the use of force to compel one to be circumcise or mutilated.
Adverse consequences of FGM are shock from pain and hemorrhage, infection, acute urinary retention following such trauma, damage to the urethra or anus in the struggle of the victim during the procedure making the extent of the operation dictated in many cases by chance, chronic
pelvic infection, acquired gynatresia resulting in hematocolpos, vulval adhesions, dysmenorrhea, retention cysts, and sexual difficulties with anorgasmia. Other complications are implantation dermoid cysts and keloids, and sexual dysfunction.
Obstetric complications include perineal lacerations and inevitable need for episiotomy in infibulated paturients. Others are defibulation with bleeding, injury to urethra and bladder, injury to rectum, and purperial sepsis. Prolonged labor, delayed 2nd stage and obstructed labor leading to fistulae formation, and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality have been associated with FGM. The mental and psychological agony attached with FGM is deemed the most serious complication because the problem does not manifest outwardly for help to be offered. The young girl is in constant fear of the procedure and after the ritual she dreads sex because of anticipated pain and dreads childbirth because of complications caused by FGM. Such girls may not complain but end up becoming frigid and withdrawn resulting in marital disharmony. I cannot allow my children to pass through such pain.
Insurgency and kidnaping in Nigeria
3. However, I am afraid to return to Nigeria because of the high rate of insurgency in the country which led to my parents-Mr and Mrs Lucky Ajamikoko to be kidnapped and possibly killed because as at this moment, there has been no information concerning their whereabout and all efforts by the police in finding them proved abortive. Kidnapping is a major problem in Nigeria in the early 21st century. Kidnapping by bandits and insurgents is among the biggest organised or gang crime in Nigeria and is a national security challenge. For instance, During the evening of 11 December 2020, over 300 students were kidnapped from a boys’ secondary boarding school on the outskirts of Kankara, Katsina State, northern Nigeria. A gang of gunmen on motorcycles attacked the Government Science
Secondary School, where more than 800 students reside, for over an hour. Again, In Dec 2020, over 80 children from the Madrasa of Hizburrahim Islamiyya were kidnapped in Katsina, Nigeria. They were rescued by pro- government vigilantes after a siege and subsequent gun battle with the kidnappers. In addition to the 80 children rescued, an additional 33 children who had been kidnapped earlier were freed by vigilantes.
These are just but few instances of kidnapping of children which makes the country not fit for my children.
Information about me:
4. I was born on 16/02/2000 in Nigeria. I am 22 years of age.
5. I left Nigeria on the 29th of June, 2017 through a friend of mine who introduced me to a woman named Naomi who resides in Italy. Naomi promised my twin sister and I to sponsor our education abroad. We were 17 years of age. We got to Italy through Libya, where I was separated from my twin sister. I was taken to a place where I was disvirgined at gunpoint. These men slept with me consecutively for over 3 months after which Naomi’s connection man arranged for me to go to Italy. When I arrived Milan, Naomi picked me up and took me to her house where she introduced me to prostitution. She insisted that I pay her 20 thousand pounds every week. That was very outrageous. I reported to the police. The police took me back to the refugee camp.
6. In 2018, I met my husband, Mr. Chidozie Diamond Ibe. A 32-year-old man as at then. I gave birth to my daughter Guilia on the 1st of April, 2019. My baby girl could not be vaccinated because my husband was not with some documents and papers. Threatening to deport us by immigration police, we left Italy for France. My husband has been reasonably efficient in carrying out his fatherly roles, but because of certain reasons beyond his control, couldn’t just lay his hands on the necessary papers. More reason why we
cannot go back to Nigeria to face not only the traditional norms but also the trauma of exposing our children to female Genital Mutilation. We can’t afford to move to Nigeria in this condition. I have no choice but to seek asylum. My children cannot afford to suffer the way I suffered both in Nigeria (genital mutilation, kidnap, and insurgency), Libya (rape and prostitution) and Italy (deception, prostitution and neglect).
Persecution
8. The UNHCR Handbook states that “being unable to avail” oneself of the protection of one’s country “implies circumstances that are beyond the will of the person concerned. There may for example, be a state of war, civil war, or other grave disturbance, which prevents the country of nationality from extending protection or makes such protection ineffective.… Such denial of protection… may indeed be an element of persecution” (par.98). I therefore avail myself and children for the protection of France.
9. Country condition reports indicate that the culture and traditional system has not improved since my departure from Nigeria. Cultural practices still hold the better part of the community which my children will be subjected to if my application was to be rejected.
Grounds:
10. For the reasons stated above, I respectfully ask this Court to grant me and my children asylum in France so that I may be free from persecution, neglect of human rights and traditional laxity in Nigeria.
11. Alternatively, I respectfully ask this Court to grant me withholding and/or deferral of removal from France because of my well-founded fear of persecution and psychological torture in Nigeria.
Verification
14. I verify that the statements made in this declaration are true and correct. I understand that any false statements herein are made subject to perjury. I will testify accordingly in acknowledgement of this report if called up by the immigration office.
