Nigerian student, 23, could be deported

Kitten euthanized after being thrown against wall

An electrical engineering student from Nigeria who threw a kitten named Braveheart against a wall and killed it is now facing potential deportation.

Bassy Okokon, 23, admitted being “angry and annoyed” at a roommate’s seven-month-old tabby on Feb. 11 after the animal clawed the carpet and a couch. Okokon picked up a baseball bat and was moving toward the kitten before a roommate stopped him.

Braveheart’s owner was in another room when he heard his roommates screaming and arguing. When the kitten’s owner entered the living room, he discovered Braveheart lying on the floor convulsing and suffering back spasms.

The animal was rushed to an emergency veterinarian clinic but was so critically injured that it had to be euthanized.

In court Friday, the fifth-year electrical engineering student at the University of Ottawa pleaded guilty to animal cruelty. He asked a judge to spare him a criminal record that could result in his deportation.

Okokon’s lawyer, Joe Addelman, asked Ontario Court Justice Peter Wright to give Okokon a conditional discharge that could prevent his removal from the country.

“Immigration has been pretty clear they can remove him one way or another,” Addelman said outside court. “A conditional discharge would help.”

Prosecutor David Elhahad said Okokon seemed to have significant anger-management issues.

Okokon is in Canada on a student visa and is in the final year of his degree, Addelman said.

“He’s totally ashamed and humiliated that he’s done anything to offend his adopted country,” said Addelman.

Okokon is expected to be sentenced Nov. 26.