A Nigerian man in his 30s has been given another chance to apply for asylum in Ireland after being deported earlier. The Irish Times reported that the decision came after new police evidence proved he was wanted in Nigeria over same-sex activities.

He said he left Nigeria in 2011 when he was caught with another man. In November 2020, he applied for asylum in Ireland but was refused by the International Protection Office (IPO).

The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) later confirmed the decision.

In June last year, a deportation order was issued, giving him one month to leave. He was eventually sent back to Nigeria in May this year. He claimed the police in Nigeria were after him, but his evidence was not accepted at the time.

While in Lagos, he appealed again, saying it was unsafe for him as a gay man to live in Nigeria. He cited the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2014, which punishes same-sex relationships with up to 14 years in prison.

His lawyer later presented stronger proof, including another police report from November last year confirming that he was wanted for same-sex activities.

This time, the tribunal accepted the evidence and ruled that he could not present the full facts during his first application through no fault of his own.

The man now works on a chicken farm in County Monaghan and has strong references from his Irish employers.

Speaking anonymously to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he described being taken to prison before deportation. He said officials only told him at the last moment that he was being sent to Lagos, insisting they were just doing their job.

He described life in Nigeria as “very bad,” explaining that he must hide his identity by wearing a hoodie and mask whenever he goes out.