Gay Nigerian deportee from Ireland wins appeal to reapply for asylum

(IRELAND) A gay Nigerian man deported from Ireland in June 2025 has won permission to reapply for asylum after Ireland’s International Protection Appeals Tribunal found “clear evidence” he faces severe danger because of his sexuality in Nigeria. The August 2025 decision gives him the right to make a fresh claim, but he has only 10 working days to register it in Dublin. He is currently in Lagos, nearly 7,000 km from Ireland, and his lawyer says the deadline is unsafe and unreasonable given the risks he faces if he tries to travel.

He was among 35 people, including five children, deported from Ireland on a government-chartered flight in June as part of an intensified removals programme. Once back in Nigeria, he received immediate threats. Same-sex relationships are criminalized there, with penalties that include long prison sentences and, in some northern states under local laws, corporal or even capital punishment.

According to the Tribunal record:
– Local police bulletins called for his arrest because of a past relationship with another man.
– Local media sought updates on his whereabouts after people in his community found out he is gay.

Appeal outcome and immediate obstacles

In its August ruling, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal said there was “clear evidence” that authorities in Nigeria are seeking him. That finding was decisive: it allows him to lodge a new protection claim in Ireland despite having been deported earlier this summer.

However, the Tribunal’s approval triggers a short window:
– He must present himself to the International Protection Office (IPO) in Dublin within 10 working days unless an extension is granted.

His solicitor, Ana Milward of Ferry Solicitors in Dublin, has asked for extra time. She argues the deadline cannot stand because he is in hiding in Lagos and would be in serious danger moving around the city, let alone flying out of the country.

Key procedural barrier:
– The Tribunal’s procedure requires an applicant to appear in person at the IPO to open a new case. For deported individuals who fear persecution, that in-person rule can be a major obstacle.

Official guidance for asylum registration, appointments, and procedures is available through the Irish Immigration Service Delivery at https://www.irishimmigration.ie. The process remains location-dependent: the applicant must attend in Dublin to start the claim, submit supporting proof, and cooperate with identity checks and interviews.

The man’s situation highlights the gap between a legal remedy on paper and the practical hurdles on the ground. He now has a legal path back to protection, but his safety, travel logistics, and the short deadline may prevent him from making use of it without swift action from Irish authorities.

Policy shifts shaping the case

This case arrives as Ireland overhauls its asylum system to align with the European Union. In April 2025, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan won Cabinet approval for the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025. The plan aims to speed up decisions and removals while keeping an effective right to appeal.

Headline changes include:
– A new “border procedure” aimed at deciding certain cases within three months
– Fewer oral hearings at appeal, with more reliance on written submissions
– Streamlined returns for rejected applicants, paired with a stated commitment to fair process under EU and Irish law

Ireland opted into most measures under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact in June 2024, aligning with the Common European Asylum System. The EU framework encourages faster decisions, common rules for appeals, and accelerated processing for people from countries listed as “safe.” It also requires member states to protect vulnerable groups, including LGBTI applicants, during screening and decision-making.

At home, Ireland expanded its “safe countries of origin” list in 2024. Nigeria remains a primary country of origin for applicants to Ireland, and the “safe country” tool has drawn criticism from lawyers and rights groups when used in cases involving LGBTI people. They argue such labels can lead to quick rejections and less thorough review, even when a person faces specific risks that contradict the broader label.

Recent statistics and context:
– Ireland received 18,560 applications for international protection in 2024.
– Of 13,099 decisions issued that year, 3,888 were positive — a 30% protection rate.
– VisaVerge.com reports Nigeria has been among the top sources of applicants. Faster timelines can clash with the time needed to collect proof in sensitive cases — especially those involving sexuality, where evidence often involves private relationships and safety concerns for witnesses.

Irish officials say reform is needed to reduce backlogs and prevent long stays for people with weak claims. Minister O’Callaghan has stressed a firmer, more efficient system while maintaining protections for people who need safety. Legal and human rights advocates acknowledge speed is important but warn that:
– Tight timelines
– Fewer oral hearings
– Stricter entry checks

can make it harder for people like this man to present their cases, especially after removal.

The June 2025 chartered removal of 35 people illustrates the system’s sharper edge on returns. The Tribunal’s new ruling shows the other side: when new proof appears, there must be a real chance to seek protection again. The tension between quick removals and meaningful remedies is now central to Ireland’s asylum debate.

Risk and potential precedent for LGBTI applicants

For the man at the centre of this case, risk is concrete. His community reportedly learned about his relationship with another man, and police notices sought his arrest. In a country where same-sex conduct is illegal and violence against LGBTI people is documented by civil society, being outed can put a person in daily danger.

The Tribunal’s recognition of those facts may influence how future cases involving LGBTI applicants from Nigeria are handled — especially where new evidence emerges after removal.

The Tribunal’s finding of “clear evidence” that authorities are seeking him creates a legal route back — but practical obstacles may still bar access to it.

Practical steps for people in similar situations

The recommended actions are clear but difficult to implement quickly:
1. Seek a solicitor immediately to secure an extension when a 10 working days limit applies.
2. Collect new documents fast, including:
– Police notices
– Credible media reports
– Affidavits from witnesses or supporting parties
3. Plan safe travel, understanding the IPO requires in-person registration in Dublin.
4. Stay in regular contact with legal counsel to avoid missing deadlines.

Support and advocacy:
– The Legal Aid Board and UNHCR Ireland provide support to asylum seekers, though availability is often limited.
– Advocacy groups continue to push for flexible timelines in cases where travel would put a person at severe risk.

Future outlook

The International Protection Bill 2025 is expected to pass later this year. If enacted as outlined:
– Fewer oral hearings and faster timelines will affect many cases.
– Supporters argue this will reduce abuse and bring clarity faster.
– Critics warn that people with complex claims — such as LGBTI applicants who need time and privacy to gather evidence — may find it harder to make their case.

Close monitoring by civil society and the legal community is likely to continue, particularly around the border procedure and its three-month limit.

For now, the Tribunal’s ruling gives this man a narrow path back to safety in Ireland. Whether he can step onto that path depends on:
– An extension being granted,
– Secure travel arrangements, and
– The state’s ability to balance speed with fairness when life is at stake.