Kerry Nwachukwu, a 44-year-old British businesswoman from London, was detained in Dubai over £19,000 in unpaid rent and shared a cell with murderers. She moved to Dubai in August 2022 with her son John, 25, to start a marketing agency after leaving her role as marketing director at Sotheby’s. By late 2024, she faced two Rental Dispute Centre cases after over £10,000 in client contracts went unpaid, leading to rent arrears with two landlords.
Arrest and Detention
On April 22, 2026, unaware of an arrest warrant, Kerry was detained at a shopping mall after speaking to a rental clerk. She was held at Bur Dubai police station for two weeks before being transferred to Al Awir Central Jail. She described conditions as harsh: no mattress initially, fights, and dangerous inmates. She spent £3 on slippers to avoid walking on urine in the toilets. 'I was put inside with people who’ve murdered people,' she said. 'Just for not paying your rent, you are thrown into a horrible, horrible jail.'
Legal and Financial Struggles
Legal proceedings prevented her from renewing her UAE business licence since January 2026, and the Middle East war worsened her finances. She paid £3,000 for release in mid-May under a 15-month repayment plan, but a judge reversed this three weeks later, demanding full repayment in 15 days. With that period expired, she fears rearrest. Her lawyer suggests £4,000 might cancel the warrant, but it's not guaranteed. Kerry wants to return to the UK: 'If I had any means to pay the courts today, I’ll be on a plane straight out of here.'
Crowdfunding Risks
Friends and family set up a GoFundMe to cover living costs and rent repayments tied to travel bans. However, GoFundMe is not authorized in Dubai, and using it could lead to further legal consequences. Kerry warns: 'I may end up with another judgment against me, another prison sentence, just for my family helping me out with GoFundMe.' She originally wrote a book about building her business but now plans to focus on her detention story, saying: 'People need to know the story of a businesswoman trying to build somewhere where the law can be very dangerous.'
