[2][3][4] His application was rejected because of a lack of evidence that he had personally suffered persecution,[5] Adebari did however gain automatic residency when his wife gave birth to a son in Ireland shortly after they arrived.
In June 2007 he was elected as mayor of Portlaoise Town Council (9 members), with support from Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and an Independent councillor.
In 2007, Adebari denied claims that he was a train operator in London who worked out of the Queen's Park depot on the Bakerloo line.
His photograph and signature are on file with London Underground's personnel office which were used in the issue of his free travel-pass and identity card."
Adebari asserted he travelled to Ireland directly from Nigeria via Paris, and never worked or lived in London at any time.