THREE Nigerian students are pleading with the Home Office to follow a specialist tribunal ruling that they should receive permits to study in Scotland.

The brother and his two sisters were supposed to begin their studies tomorrow.

A tribunal ruled almost a year ago that the siblings have the right to live, work and study in Scotland.

But Home Office immigration officials have ignored the ruling and now the family and their representatives have now made an urgent appeal to UK Government officials.

The high-achieving siblings all aim for careers in sectors crying out for skilled staff.

All three secured top grades to qualify for courses in nursing, biomedical science and cyber security.

Wale Olabamiji, the family’s solicitor, told the Sunday National: “This is critical for the family. The children’s education is on the line. The Home Office has no discretion here. They must act.”

Olabamiji, understood to operate the only African-owned law practice in Scotland, helped the family win an appeal last October.

Mum Florence Awolowo, 51, moved to the UK from Nigeria and married a Dutch man.

Her four children – including prospective students Adedayo Dansule, 22, and sisters Bisola, 20 and 18-year-old Thelma, as well as schoolgirl Hilda, 14 – joined her in 2015.

The couple split after four and a half years of marriage and Florence applied for UK right of residence for her and her children under EEA (European Economic Area) rules.

After this was turned down by the Home Office, the tribunal ruled that the family should receive the relevant documentation, including biometric identity cards.

That decision was made in October 2017, but no paperwork has yet been received, meaning Florence is unable to change jobs and Adedayo, Bisola and Thelma have been unable to complete the matriculation process at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), where they are supposed to begin classes tomorrow.

Bisola said: “We want to learn, we want to achieve. We earned the places, we don’t want to lose them and miss our chance.”

Their MP Paul Sweeney, who represents the Glasgow North East seat, has pressed the Home Office for answers.

In a recent letter to the politician, officials said a caseworker had been appointed, adding that they would “endeavour to make a decision... as soon as possible”.

But Olabamiji says the law states that the department lost its decision-making power when it failed to appeal the tribunal’s ruling within the three day time limit.

He said: “There are no grounds for refusal.”

It is understood the delay is attributed to charges of racial discrimination brought against Florence by passengers she carried in her vehicle.

She spent the weekend in police cells as a result, but all charges were dropped when the procurator fiscal reviewed evidence she secured.

Recordings made on her mobile phone captured racially-charged abuse levelled at her by her accusers and a letter issued in July confirmed that no further action would be taken against her.

BISOLA told how the children feared for her safety after failed to return from a late-night Saturday shift for church the following day. However, Florence does not plan any legal challenge over the matter as she focuses on securing her family’s UK residency.

On the immigration system, she said: “They use this thing to destroy people’s lives, ruining people’s progress and bringing them down.

“I am a single parent – it’s only me and God.

“I believe everybody’s job should be accounted for. There is no accountability in the Home Office. How can it be up to a year for a judgement to be recognised?

“I have worked so hard and contributed to the economy. I pay my tax. I have exercised my treaty rights so I see no reason why I should be punished for nothing for so long.

“We have gone to court and won the case, proving the Home Office wrong. Without the biometric cards, we can’t progress.”

Labour MP Sweeney said: “My staff have spoken to the Home Office about Ms Awolowo’s case and are putting as much pressure on the Home Office as possible to expedite her children’s applications for biometric residence permits, so that they are able to take up their university places.

“I will also be looking into what lessons need to be learned so this situation can be avoided in the future. Young people should not have their future jeopardised by bureaucratic processes over which they have no control.”

After the Sunday National contacted the Home Office, staff forwarded new application documents to the family.

However, any new bid carries a potential six month wait and a letter now promised to reassure GCU will not arrive until next week.

Olabamiji has rejected the move as an attempt to placate the family as he continues to press the government to do what the tribunal has ordered.

He said: “This will just set their lives back again. We cannot accept it when they have already won their case.”

In a statement to this newspaper, the Home Office said: “We have written to Mrs Awolowo to outline the steps she and her children need to take to obtain their biometric residence cards. We have also issued certificates of application for Mrs Awolowo’s children, which will enable them to take up their university places.”

Meanwhile, a GCU spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on specific individuals but the university takes all reasonable steps to enable students to start their courses on time.

“Students are treated on a case by case basis, and when students face any issues our Visa Immigration Support and Advice (VISA) team always support students to allow them to begin their studies, providing the student and university remain compliant under immigration rules.”