Former Miss Universe Nigeria Chidimma Adetshina says she is “depressed” after a South African court postponed proceedings in her immigration case and fixed August 19 for a ruling on her possible detention and deportation.

The 25-year-old is fighting deportation after authorities arrested her in Cape Town in June over claims that she is living in South Africa illegally.

Prosecutors push for detention

The case returned to court on Monday for the filing of responding affidavits. Adetshina had earlier submitted a statement explaining her efforts to regularise her immigration status.

Prosecutors argued that Adetshina is an undocumented foreign national. They asked the court to detain her while deportation proceedings continue.

The state alleged that she obtained Nigerian passports for herself and her child in Lagos. Prosecutors also claimed she secured a South African visa and entered the country through Mozambique.

They further alleged that she still holds a South African passport and has refused to surrender it.

Defence rejects allegations

Adetshina’s lawyers dismissed the claims. They insisted that she was born in South Africa and has no significant ties to Nigeria.

Her legal team argued that the Department of Home Affairs did not conduct a fair investigation before invalidating her documents. They also maintained that she is not a flight risk.

According to her lawyers, her citizenship status is already the subject of a separate High Court challenge.

Court reserves judgment

Magistrate Reema Khorana encouraged both parties to settle the matter outside court. However, they failed to reach an agreement.

The case became more complicated after a recent Western Cape High Court ruling. The ruling stated that only immigration officers can issue arrest warrants for immigration detention.

Khorana reserved judgment and will deliver a ruling on August 19.

Adetshina speaks out

After the hearing, Adetshina shared a message on her Instagram Stories about the emotional toll of the case.

“Exhausted -Yes, Burnt out -Yes, Depressed – Yes, Will I give up, No! We no dey carry las see you next month,” she captioned a clip shared on the platform.

Adetshina has faced questions about her citizenship since competing in the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant. She later withdrew from the contest, citing safety concerns for herself and her family.