Father of Mercy’s baby speaks for the first time
THE father of Mercy Baguma’s son has said it was a “miracle” the toddler survived after being without food or water for up to four days.
Speaking exclusively to the Glasgow Times, Eric Nnanna has told how 16- month- old Adriel was trapped in a Govan flat with his mum after her sudden death.
The 30- year- old has raised questions as to how she could have been undiscovered for so long given asylum seeker housing provider Mears should, he claims, have moved her to a new flat in the week she died.
Eric, who, like Mercy, is seeking asylum in the UK, is also determined to counter claims that Mercy and Adriel were starving.
He is adamant that, while life was financially difficult following Mercy losing her leave to remain status and so her ability to work, the family was well supported by charities.
Eric, who came to the UK from Nigeria and studied at
Aberdeen University, said: “Although I have been trying to stay away from social media because there is a lot of fake news going around, the part where they said she starved to death was entirely wrong.
“From Tuesday night to Saturday morning that was only when Adriel starved.
“Asylum seekers and refugees do not get a lot of support from the government but there are charities that help.”
Eric said he believed Mercy was to be moved to Mears accommodation on
Wednesday, August 19, and so, when he didn’t hear from her, he thought she was busy with the move.
Mears said Mercy was “not a client” while the Home Office said an investigation into her death is under way.
Eric last saw the mother of his child on August 18, the day before the alleged move. He wants to know if anyone checked on her and Adriel or if the move was cancelled.
He tells the Glasgow Times in harrowing detail of discovering Mercy and his young son.