Canadian Court Confirms Deportation of Nigerian Pastor After Asylum Denial

A Canadian federal court has upheld the denial of asylum for Nigerian pastor Lucky Bidemi Olorunfemi, paving the way for his deportation. The ruling, delivered by Justice McHaffie in Toronto on October 16, cited fraudulent and inconsistent documents submitted in support of his claim.

Olorunfemi, who said he was a pastor in Akure, Ondo State, applied for refugee status in 2023, claiming his pro-LGBTQ stance had angered “Muslim Jihadis” who threatened his life. He alleged that his church was attacked and that he had to hide for a year before fleeing to Canada.

To back his application, Olorunfemi submitted four documents, including a newspaper report of the alleged attack, a Nigerian police letter, his wife’s medical report, and a wanted poster from the so-called “Odoua Peoples Congress.” The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) found the documents riddled with errors, inconsistencies, and signs of fabrication. For example, the newspaper excerpt mirrored Olorunfemi’s own narrative and contained multiple mistakes, while the wanted poster misspelled key names and listed a different identity.

Justice McHaffie also pointed out contradictions in Olorunfemi’s testimony, noting his claim of limited English proficiency conflicted with his fluent responses in court. The judge concluded that Olorunfemi had failed to provide credible evidence or address the RPD’s concerns adequately.

“The application for judicial review is dismissed,” the ruling stated, confirming that Olorunfemi’s asylum claim lacked credibility and that he is to be deported from Canada.