A United States judge has rejected the petition filed by Nigerian national, Chibueze Hilary Idoko, against the Trump administration to block his deportation back to Nigeria after he was arrested by immigration authorities, according to legal filings sighted by Peoples Gazette.
Court documents showed that Mr Idoko had filed a petition for a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration over a potential deportation to Nigeria following his arrest by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), arguing that he faces persecution in the West African country.
The plaintiff also prayed to the court to order his release from the Prairieland Detention Centre in Alvarado, Texas, where is currently being held following transfer from Bluebonnet Detention Centre in Austin, Texas, alleging his continuous detention by ICE without a valid removal order violates the constitution.
In his ruling on May 15, 2025, Judge James Hendrix of the United States District Court Northern District of Texas Abilene Division, deemed the arguments lodged by Mr Idoko, who represented himself in the case, insufficient and subsequently denied his request for a temporary restraining order.
“First, the Court notes that Petitioner did not verify his allegations with a declaration under penalty of perjury, nor did he describe any effort to notify Respondents of his request for emergency relief or attempt to show that notice should not be required. For these reasons alone, the Court cannot issue a TRO in this case,” Mr Hendrix.
He added, “Moreover, Petitioner has not demonstrated an immediate risk of irreparable injury, loss, or damage. He focuses on the potential harm he could face if he were removed, but he suggests no reason to believe that he is threatened with imminent removal.
“In fact, he states the opposite. In his petition he states that there is “no foreseeable likelihood of removal.” Thus, he has failed to show an immediate risk of irreparable injury, and the an emergency motion for TRO must be denied. Petitioner’s request for a hearing is also denied.”
