IPOB Membership Leads to Asylum for Nigerian Woman
A 49-year-old Nigerian woman, who had previously been denied asylum in the United Kingdom eight times, has been granted the right to remain after becoming involved with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group designated as a terrorist organization in Nigeria but not in the UK.
She arrived in the UK in 2011 and joined IPOB in 2017. Despite acknowledging that her involvement with IPOB was primarily to bolster her asylum claim, Upper Tribunal Judge Gemma Loughran ruled that her association with the group would likely subject her to persecution if she returned to Nigeria. Consequently, the judge determined that she had a “well-founded fear of persecution” based on her imputed political opinion.
This decision has sparked controversy and debate. Critics argue that the ruling could set a precedent for individuals to fabricate affiliations with groups facing persecution to secure asylum. Supporters, however, contend that the judgment aligns with human rights principles, emphasizing protection for those at risk of persecution, regardless of the authenticity of their political beliefs.
