American citizen Onijah Robinson has agreed to return to the United States after an extended stay in Pakistan, where she had traveled in October last year to marry 19-year-old Pakistani resident Nidal Ahmed Memon.
Robinson, who made headlines for her unusual predicament, claimed she was abandoned by Memon after his family refused to approve their marriage. She had befriended Memon through social media and arrived in Karachi on October 11 with the intention of formalizing their relationship. However, after the refusal from Memon’s family, she was left in a difficult situation.
Despite being provided with a return ticket and financial assistance by a local non-governmental organization (NGO), Robinson initially refused to leave Pakistan. She instead camped outside Memon’s apartment complex in protest.
Now, after months of uncertainty, Robinson has decided to return to the United States. In a video message, she requested financial assistance for her travel back to New York.
“I would like for you guys to book my ticket back to New York […] money is short right now and I will appreciate it,” she said in the video.
Earlier today, Robinson addressed the media alongside an NGO representative, where she insisted that she was still seeking her husband. During the press conference, she also made a demand for financial support, stating:
“I will go to Dubai with my husband, give me money.” She requested Rs100,000 from the government, further complicating her situation.
Family Claims Mental Health Issues
In a new development, Robinson’s son, Jeremiah Robinson, released a video statement claiming that his mother suffers from a mental disorder. Appearing in the video with his face blurred, he identified himself as Onijah’s son and presented a birth certificate confirming that she had given birth to him in April 2008 at New York’s Queens Hospital Centre.
Jeremiah refuted his mother’s claims of a love affair, stating that she and Memon were acquainted before she traveled to Pakistan but had no intention of marriage. He explained that her visit was meant to be a short vacation to meet Memon and his family.
“When it was time for her to come back after two weeks, I tried to convince her to return. She refused,” he said. “Nidal had even booked her ticket for January 15, but she did not return.”
Jeremiah further stated that his mother has bipolar disorder and is not in a stable mental condition.
“I’m trying to help her as her son to come back to the US,” he added, expressing concern over how his mother’s story has been handled by the media.
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