US Supreme Court to hear Nigerian ‘gunmen’s cook’ asylum case

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving a Nigerian, Izuchukwu Ozurumba, who was denied asylum over allegations that he provided support to a separatist group linked to violence in Nigeria.

According to Reuters, the case centres on whether Ozurumba’s work as a cook for the group constituted material support for terrorism under US immigration law.

Ozurumba reportedly left Lagos in 2022 to work as a cook at the group’s camp, initially unaware of its alleged involvement in violent activities.

He claimed that he became suspicious after noticing that the movements of some young men from the camp coincided with reports of killings and arson.

After spending about six months at the camp, he fled and subsequently travelled to the US, entering through its southern border in July 2023.

He later applied for asylum and other protections against deportation, but US immigration authorities argued that his cooking services amounted to material support for a terrorist organisation.

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However, in September 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, based in Richmond, Virginia, ruled in his favour.

The appellate court found that Ozurumba had been subjected to captive labour and that his cooking activities did not constitute material support for terrorism under the circumstances of the case.

The administration of President Donald Trump subsequently challenged the decision at the Supreme Court.

The apex court has now agreed to hear the appeal and is expected to deliver its ruling by the end of June 2027.

The decision could have wider implications for asylum seekers accused of providing services to organisations classified as terrorist groups under US immigration law.

Biodun Busari is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with five years of experience reporting on human interest, crime, diaspora issues, and feature storytelling. He focuses on producing engaging, informative stories that enlighten the public and provide context on complex topics. Biodun’s work demonstrates hands-on newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accurate, purpose-driven journalism.

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