Actually I didn't pick on just ONE thing. I commented on two different things.
One...they obviously did not read the guide in order to know to photocopy the family page if they needed more space. A dumb mistake.
Two...the embassy asked for originals. If you are not attentive enough to read the bolded word "originals" it is just another mistake on their part.
It just seems that they are trying to blame the High Comission for THEIR OWN ERRORS.
Since you don't like what I picked on to start with...
Given the calibre of Nigerian lawyers that attend IBA conferences and the considerably high cost, it's unlikely that unscrupulous persons would take advantage to get visas to seek greener pastures.
Given the quality of their comprehension of simple instructions and lack of attention to detail...I would say the calibre of the lawyers is very low. Given that calibre I do NOT see how you can conclude that they are beyond suspiscion and should be automatically given visas.
From the Embassy site for Nigeria...
Processing times for visitor applications are 30 working days or more depending on the volume of applications received at the visa office.
So this is clearly laid out ahead of time...yet...
I also believe they had too many people applying at the same time and they just became overwhelmed. 'But then I don't see this as a good excuse, because we told them and gave them long notice that many Nigerian lawyers would be attending the IBA Conference in Canada.
Sure they can warn the High Commission that many applications are coming with long notice...BUT...they aren't smart enough to plan ahead and actually APPLY well ahead of time? Poor planning I would say. And lazy too. Instead of doing the work ahead of time they expect to "warn" the High Commission that many applications are coming and expect them to do what? Hire more staff? Stop processing everything else? It doesn't work that way and it was clearly right there on the website for them.
There is no bias here. I know the rules and application process and I know what the embassy demands where I have had several applications processed. I may not agree with everything they demand, but I know if someone doesn't comply due to dumb mistakes and "feeling miffed" then I have no sympathy for their refusal.