Eligibility for ILR SET(M)

Hi Guys,
I couldn't find any previous posts that addresses my enquiry, hence I'm posting a new topic. The situation goes thus; My mate was granted asylum last November. He will be eligible for ILR IN 2018. He has a partner, with whom he has been cohabiting since 2012. My question is, can he apply for ILR via set M?...he applied for it (ILR via set M) in 2012, but was rejected so then he claimed asylum, which was successful.
The reason his previous application was rejected, was that he didn't have legal residence in the country, hasn't met the requirement of cohabitation for 2 years, and was not issued a "partners visa" previously....I hope this all makes sense...Looking forward to hearing from you gurus.

cheers,

uChida

You can't apply for SET(M) unless you've completed two/five years with spouse leave.