US rapper detained by Canadian immigration

US rapper Lloyd Banks was released from jail on bail on 12 January, only to be detained by Canadian immigration authorities.

The rapper and member of G-Unit, a group of rappers once fronted by Eminem, was arrested after allegedly assaulting and robbing a concert promoter in Canada. A spokesperson for the Ontario Police says he is in the custody of Canadian immigration officials but no more details are available at this time.

Both Banks and his friend Nicklas Sloane was detained over the alleged assault, for which two others were also jailed. However, the two other men are thought to have returned back to the US yesterday.

Banks’s lawyer, Patrick Ducharme, said the case could result in Banks having to stay living in Canada for some time while the matter is resolved. He explained that it will take three or four weeks for the evidence to be gathered against Banks, and a further three to four weeks for him to review the evidence.

Banks is expected to plead not guilty and the case could take over a year if it stays in the lower courts, says Ducharme. Whether Canadian immigration wants Banks to remain living in Canada in the meantime will affect whether the rapper can return home.

Alternatively, an immigration review to take place later this week may rule that Banks can return home as soon as next week.