UK legal advisers allegedly help migrants fabricate gay asylum claims
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A BBC undercover investigation has revealed allegations that some legal advisers and firms in the United Kingdom are assisting migrants in fabricating claims of being gay to secure asylum. The report states that migrants with expiring visas were allegedly coached to present false claims, including being provided with cover stories and instructions on how to produce supporting evidence such as photographs, medical reports, and letters. Some advisers reportedly charged thousands of pounds for these applications, with one firm allegedly demanding up to 拢7,000. The investigation claimed that one undercover reporter was advised to attend gay clubs for photographic evidence, and another adviser allegedly offered to arrange a fake same-sex relationship. In one case, an adviser was quoted suggesting an applicant could later bring his wife to the UK and help her submit a separate claim by posing as a lesbian. The UK Home Office stated that anyone found exploiting the asylum system would face legal consequences, including removal from the UK. The BBC noted this trend primarily involved migrants whose work, study, or tourist visas had expired, rather than those arriving through irregular routes, and these applicants accounted for about 35 percent of asylum claims in 2025. Data cited in the investigation indicated Nigeria recorded 103 asylum claims based on sexual orientation in 2023. An immigration lawyer described the practice as fraudulent, warning it could undermine genuine asylum cl
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Amnesty International has collaborated with female lawyers in Imo State to enhance prevention and response efforts against gender-based violence. During a capacity-building event in Owerri, Helen Addah, Human Rights Education Officer of Amnesty International, stated that the training aims to equip lawyers with skills in media engagement, information gathering, and survivor protection. She emphasized the importance of implementing policies and laws on gender-based violence, particularly utilizing the Sexual Assault Referral Centre to provide necessary services for survivors. Addah highlighted that a human rights-based approach could significantly reduce gender-based violence in the state. Rosemary Hamza, a resource person, stressed the need for effective referral pathways for survivors, noting that these pathways are crucial for connecting survivors with coordinated services addressing their physical, emotional, legal, and social needs. She urged lawyers to track and report violence cases to deter offenders, explaining that effective referral systems prevent delays, fragmented services, repeated questioning, and breaches of confidentiality for survivors. Ndidi Anike Val-Okeoma, former Chairperson of FIDA, described the training as vital for female lawyers in handling and advocating for gender-based violence cases. She added that trained lawyers would educate society on how to respond to gender-based violence issues, including understanding referral pathways, and emphasized the
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