More than 60 people joined the videoconference and lit a candle for Momoh, as they prayed for his release from the detention centre.

Momoh’s wife and children, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Julian Leow, and Tenaganita executive director Glorene Das were among those at the vigil, hosted by the St John’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur, where Momoh is a parishioner.

Momoh’s wife, Low Kar Hui, thanked the Catholic church for its support and prayers during this difficult period, also conveying her husband’s thanks on his behalf.

Representing civil societies, Das thanked the church for organising the vigil and the different parishioners for taking a stand on Momoh’s behalf. “Thank you to the leaders of the Catholic Church for speaking out when there’s injustice,” she said.

The church issued a statement yesterday calling for Momoh’s release.

Parish priest Monsignor Leonard Lexson said: “We believe he has already served his sentence and paid his due. We hope those making the decisions will keep in mind his young children and the distress they must be going through.”

Momoh’s deportation order was received by his wife through email on April 14. It asked her to prepare arrangements for his flight back to Nigeria. According to the order, Momoh is deemed a prohibited immigrant.

Momoh, who has been married to Low for the past eight years and has a valid visa, was arrested at a roadblock in Cheras in the early hours of March 15 on suspicion of drink-driving.

He pleaded guilty in court the same day, paid the RM12,000 fine, and Low was told he would be released at 5pm. However, he has been detained at the Semenyih detention centre since then.

His lawyer V Vemal Arasan and his wife had been denied permission to meet Momoh until last Friday, with the authorities citing Covid-19 restrictions previously.