Duncan Lewis client who faced removal to DR Congo has been released from detention (Multiple sources) (14 January 2019)

A national of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Otis Bolamu, who fled persecution following accusations of being a spy and subsequently threatened with removal out of the UK on Christmas day, has been released from detention and allowed to return to his home in Swansea. A petition was shared with an aim to release Otis from detention after he was initially held under immigration powers on the 19th December 2018. 12,000 people signed to show their support and his removal was halted before he was finally release from detention on the 10th January. A number of different media outlets, including the BBC, Guardian, ITV News and Wales Online, have written on this case, speaking out about the injustice which has seen Otis refused leave to remain. Otis is a client of Public Law solicitor, Jamie Bell, who has been acting on his behalf to get Otis leave to remain. Jamie continues to work on processing Otis’ asylum claim to ensure he gets the international protection he needs. He has commented: “We are delighted that Otis returned home after his release from detention. He has received amazing support from so many in the Swansea community and this gave him hope when he was feeling lost. We now look forward to continuing to fight for Otis's right to stay in the UK as a refugee and will be working hard to prove his claim.”