Nigerian-born businessman Simon Guobadia has been deported to Nigeria following a visa-related controversy that saw him held at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility for several months.
Guobadia, who was previously married to Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams, was detained at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia after allegedly overstaying his visa.
He was released in early June and boarded a flight to Nigeria, arriving on Sunday.
The 61-year-old had first entered the United States in 1982 but was deported in 1992 for visa violations.
Despite his previous removal, he managed to secure permanent residency under questionable circumstances and made several failed attempts to become a US citizen.
A friend and business partner of the businessman, Tai Savet, said Guobadia remains in good spirits and bears no resentment toward US President Donald Trump, whose immigration policies contributed to the deportation.
“He bears no ill will and would welcome a conversation with him to discuss what’s broken with the current system,” Savet said.
While in detention, Guobadia launched a T-shirt line with slogans such as “FREE SIMON” and “NO ICE THIS SUMMER,” pledging proceeds to support prison reform.
His deportation has added another layer of complication to his ongoing divorce from Porsha Williams, who filed for separation in February 2024.
Williams was granted exclusive residency of their marital home and the court proceedings were delayed due to Guobadia’s detention.
The divorce hearing is now expected to continue virtually, with Guobadia scheduled to appear from Nigeria via video link on June 11.
