The case of a Nigerian “student” who offended in Dundee has led a politician to hail the Westminster Government’s actions over stray foreign students who enter the UK but do not fulfil their plans to go to British universities.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Alex Johnstone was commenting on the case last week of a Nigerian who came to Dundee to study at Abertay University but did not enrol.
Instead Dennis Ohiomah Ahonsi, 24, found himself in Dundee Sheriff Court after following a lone female in Hilltown on November 13. He admitted a breach of the peace by leaving her in a state of fear and alarm.
Three days later he committed a further breach by speaking to two 13-year-old girls, claiming to be their friend and asking to walk with them.
Sentence on Ahonsi, of Thurso Crescent, was deferred and he was remanded in custody after the court heard there was a danger he would flee the country to escape the charges.
Sheriff Alastair Brown recommended that Ahonsi be deported and called for a statement from the immigration authorities about their intentions for the Nigerian.
Ahonsi had been in Wolverhampton before coming to Dundee to live with his sister, and his solicitor said he had intended to enrol on a course at Abertay University.
The Courier understands that he applied for, and was made, a conditional offer of a place but his application was rejected after it was found he did not meet the conditions.
However, he stayed on in the city.
Mr Johnstone said: “The UK Government recently announced measures which will stop this kind of abuse of our universities system.
“The Immigration Bill will stop migrants, including those who come to study, from using public services they are not entitled to.
“The number of non-EU applicants rose last year, which shows international students still want to study here.
“This proves that our tough stance on those who abuse the system will not put off genuine candidates who want to both benefit from Scottish education and contribute to our universities at the same time.”
The UK Government wants to make the immigration system tougher to tackle the growth in the number of people who arrive from outside the EU.
Measures address illegal immigration and benefit claims, and proof of legal entry to the UK for housing and bank accounts.
Students will have to pay a £200-a-year levy towards the cost of NHS services, and foreign criminals can be deported as long as they do not face serious harm at home.