Former Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, appeared in a South African court on Thursday to challenge plans to deport her over claims that she is living in the country illegally.

The 25-year-old beauty queen appeared at the Cape Town Regional Court. She submitted an affidavit explaining the steps she has taken to regularise her immigration status. The court adjourned the matter until Monday, when the state will file its response.

Citizenship Dispute Returns to Court

Adetshina has faced scrutiny over her citizenship since she participated in the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant. The controversy sparked public debate about her nationality.

She later withdrew from the competition, citing safety concerns for herself and her family.

The Silverbird Group later invited her to compete in Miss Universe Nigeria. She won the pageant and represented Nigeria at Miss Universe, where she finished as first runner-up.

Immigration Authorities State Their Case

Immigration officer Adrian Jackson said authorities investigated Adetshina’s status and found that she and her minor son were living in South Africa without lawful status.

“In this affidavit, I shall now motivate reasons for deeming it to be in the interest of justice to detain this person for deportation to the country of origin. ” After the above ‘status determination’ interview and the DHA residency IT systems checks,” Jackson’s affidavit reads.

“It was confirmed that the applicant does not hold any lawful RSA residential status and is thus an illegal foreigner. It is my submission that the illegal foreigner willfully and intentionally remained resident unlawfully in RSA in contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2022.”

Previous Rulings

The latest court proceedings follow a March decision by South African Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber. He rejected Adetshina’s attempt to review the department’s refusal of her request for a letter of good cause.

Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina remains at the centre of a legal and public debate over her citizenship status.