Former Miss Universe Nigeria, Chidimma Adetshina, has returned to the Cape Town Regional Court as she continues her legal battle against efforts by South African authorities to deport her over allegations that she is residing in the country illegally.

The beauty queen appeared before the court on Thursday, July 16, where proceedings resumed shortly after 2 p.m. She was expected to file an affidavit outlining the steps she has taken to regularise her immigration status in South Africa.

According to eNCA reporter Nobesuthu Hejana, the affidavit is a key part of Adetshina's defence as she seeks to challenge the Department of Home Affairs' application for her deportation.

Adetshina was arrested on June 6 and made her first court appearance on June 9. She was subsequently released on warning after the matter was postponed to allow both parties to prepare their cases.

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs alleges that Adetshina and her minor son have been living in the country without valid immigration status and is asking the court to order their deportation.

Court documents filed by immigration authorities further claim that Adetshina entered South Africa despite being prohibited from doing so. However, the allegations are yet to be tested in court, and no ruling has been made on the merits of the case.

Providing an update outside the courtroom, Hejana said Adetshina would present evidence of the measures she has taken to legalise her stay in the country.

The court is expected to examine her affidavit alongside submissions from the Department of Home Affairs before determining the next stage of the deportation proceedings.

The case is the latest twist in the prolonged controversy surrounding Adetshina's nationality, which first drew widespread attention during her participation in the 2024 Miss South Africa pageant.

Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Mozambican mother, Adetshina initially competed as a finalist in the Miss South Africa contest but later withdrew following intense public scrutiny over her family's citizenship status.

Her withdrawal came after South African authorities launched an investigation into allegations involving her mother's identity and citizenship documentation. The controversy also triggered widespread social media attacks targeting Adetshina over her Nigerian heritage, despite her South African birth and eligibility to participate in the pageant.

In August 2024, South African authorities announced that Adetshina's mother was suspected of involvement in identity theft, further fueling the controversy.

Following her withdrawal from Miss South Africa, Adetshina accepted an invitation to compete in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant, where she emerged victorious and earned the right to represent Nigeria at the global competition.

She went on to make history at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City, finishing as first runner-up while also being crowned Miss Universe Africa and Oceania, cementing her status as one of Africa's most celebrated beauty queens despite the ongoing legal and immigration challenges.