18 hours ago
Man charged over serious Footscray assault was released immigration detainee
A 43-year-old man charged over an alleged serious assault in Melbourne's inner west over the weekend was released from immigration detention following a 2023 High Court ruling, the ABC understands.
Police allege Friday Yokoju assaulted a 62-year-old man on the intersection of Nicholson and Paisley Streets in Footscray on Sunday morning.
Mr Yokoju was charged with intentionally causing serious injury and faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday morning.
The court heard the alleged victim is on life support and is unlikely to survive.
The ABC understands Mr Yokoju was released from immigration detention after a 2023 High Court ruling sometimes referred to as NZYQ.
That ruling set aside an earlier judgement that indefinite immigration detention was lawful, triggering the release of about 140 detainees.
It's understood Mr Yokoju remained in the community on a bridging visa with an ankle monitor, while the Department of Home Affairs worked on his deportation.
The 43-year-old could be heard yelling in court on Monday, where his lawyer requested an urgent psychiatric assessment.
He was remanded in custody with no application for bail made, and will return to court on October 20.
He is yet to enter a plea to the charges.
