Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-00228/USCOURTS-casd-3_14-cv-00228-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 540
Nature of Suit: Prisoner Petitions - Mandamus and Other
Cause of Action: 28:2241 Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus (federal)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

MOHAMMED MOHAAMMADU,

Plaintiff,

CASE NO. 14cv228-LAB (WVG)

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO

PROCEED IN FORMA

PAUPERIS; AND

ORDER OF DISMISSAL

vs.

UNNAMED RESPONDENTS,

Defendant.

On January 29, 2014, Petitioner Mohammed Mohammadu filed a petition for writ of

habeas corpus pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. The application shows he is in custody,

awaiting deportation to either Australia or Ghana.

Mohammadu did not pay the $5.00 filing fee, but instead moved to proceed in forma

pauperis. His attached prisoner trust statement, however, shows he has $110.00 in his

account, which is easily enough to pay the filing fee. The motion to proceed in forma

pauperis is DENIED.

The petition is written in the form of a letter “to whom it may concern” and addressed

to this Court. It does not name a respondent, but simply asks the Court to review

Mohammadu’s file and see if he is eligible for release pending deportation. Failure to name

the proper respondent deprives a habeas court of personal jurisdiction. Brittingham v. United

States, 982 F.2d 378, 379 (9th Cir.1992). The proper respondent in a federal habeas corpus

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petition is the petitioner's immediate custodian, that is, the person who has day-to-day

control over the petitioner and could release the petitioner if ordered to do so. Id. at 379.

The motion to proceed in forma pauperis is DENIED and the petition is DISMISSED

WITHOUT PREJUDICE both for failure to pay the filing fee and for failure to name a proper

respondent. No later than March 20, 2014, Mohammadu may pay the filing fee and file an

amended petition that names a proper respondent.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: February 3, 2014

HONORABLE LARRY ALAN BURNS

United States District Judge

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