Ex-PLG basketball player faces deportation over expired visa

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Chinese-language media reported on Monday (Oct. 16) that Nigerian basketball player Ifeanyi Uzoma Eboka is facing deportation by Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior (MOI).

A former team member of the P. League+'s Hsinchu Lioneers, Eboka, was detained by the National Immigration Agency's (NIA) New Taipei City Specialized Operation Brigades on Oct. 12 over an expired residency visa. 

Eboka first arrived in Taiwan as an international student-athlete in 2020 with a four-year contract to join Shih Hsin University's basketball team.

However, without the university's consent, he entered the P. LEAGUE+ draft in July 2022. After the university agreed to terminate their contract with him in August 2022, the Hsinchu Lioneers signed Eboka to the team in September. 

During his tenure with the Hsinchu Lioneers, Eboka played 36 games, averaging 15 minutes per game, with statistics averaging 5.28 points and 4.5 rebounds. However, his contract with the team was terminated in July 2023.

Reports indicated that Eboka overstayed his visa for 20 days beyond validity since mid-September this year. 

According to local reports, the NIA discovered a foreigner outside the National Taiwan University of Arts while on duty at 3 p.m. on Oct. 12. 

Suspecting the man to be without documentation, authorities looked into the matter and reported the Nigerian as overstaying his visa.

As per the agency, in conjunction with the New Taipei City Police Department, Eboka will face deportation under Taiwanese law.