The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is now at risk of having his British citizenship revoked. This development comes after a Federal High Court found him guilty on terrorism charges.
Court Delivers Guilty Verdict
On 20 November 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court convicted Nnamdi Kanu on all seven counts of terrorism brought against him by the Department of State Services (DSS). The judge ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient credible evidence to prove its case against the IPOB leader, who holds a British passport.
This landmark ruling has triggered a process that could lead to the deprivation of Kanu's British citizenship, a power granted to the UK Home Secretary.
Legal Grounds for Citizenship Deprivation
According to the UK Parliament and House of Commons Library website, the Home Secretary holds the power to strip a person of their British citizenship under specific conditions. This authority is derived from section 40 of the British Nationality Act 1981.
The law allows for citizenship deprivation if the Home Secretary deems it conducive to the public good, typically in contexts of national security or counter-terrorism. The primary aim is to prevent a person considered a threat from returning to the United Kingdom.
A critical distinction in the law concerns statelessness. For individuals who naturalised as British citizens, the government can revoke their citizenship even if it leaves them stateless. However, someone who was born British and has no other nationality cannot be deprived of their citizenship under any circumstances.
Appeal Process and Passport Implications
If the Home Secretary moves to revoke Kanu's status, he is expected to receive a written notice. However, this notice can be withheld in certain situations, such as when it is deemed necessary for national security reasons.
Kanu retains the right to appeal the decision. Appeals in national security and terrorism cases are handled by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC). A unique feature of SIAC appeals is that sensitive evidence may be withheld from the appellant and their lawyer, with a 'special advocate' appointed to represent their interests instead.
Separately, the British passport itself is issued at the discretion of the Home Secretary and can be withdrawn or withheld using executive power. If only his passport is withdrawn, Kanu would remain a British citizen, but his ability to travel overseas would be severely restricted.
With Justice Omotosho's ruling, the path is now clear for UK authorities to initiate proceedings that could see the IPOB leader lose a fundamental aspect of his legal identity.
