A Canadian Federal Court has rejected the asylum application of Adam Omozakari Ayonote, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a ruling dated November 15, 2024, the court dismissed Ayonote’s claims that he was persecuted by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2005, citing insufficient evidence and inconsistencies in his testimony.
Ayonote had alleged that he was shot multiple times by an APC member in 2005, and he further claimed that after testifying against a senior APC official in a corruption case in 2014, he received death threats from APC members.
He also contended that he was attacked by APC members at an airport and fled to Canada in 2018 due to fear for his safety.
However, Justice Whyte Nowak ruled that Ayonote’s allegations were not credible, pointing out that he failed to link the events of 2005 to the APC, which was formed in 2013.
The court found that Ayonote’s evidence was inconsistent and lacked the necessary details to substantiate his claims.
Additionally, the court noted that he did not establish a reasonable fear of future persecution, as he had traveled to the United States in 2014 and 2015 without seeking asylum, even though he claimed to be in danger.
The Court however concluded that Ayonote’s asylum request was based on unreliable evidence and further rejected his pea for refugee protection.
