IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu Formally Sacks Longtime Lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Accuses Him Of Acting Without Authority

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally disengaged his longtime lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, accusing him of continuing to act as his legal representative despite an earlier verbal termination of his appointment.

Kanu conveyed the decision in a letter personally signed and dated July 22, formally confirming what he said was an earlier verbal dismissal of the lawyer.

According to the IPOB leader, the written notification was necessary to remove any ambiguity regarding Ejiofor’s status.

“Your engagement as my personal legal representative was previously terminated by me through direct verbal communication, upon which you ceased acting in that capacity. This letter serves, in part, as a formal written confirmation of that earlier termination,” Kanu stated.

He alleged that Ejiofor had continued to function, “directly or indirectly,” as his legal representative and that of IPOB despite the termination.

“Accordingly, and for the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, I hereby formally withdraw and terminate any authority previously granted to you to act for or represent IPOB in any capacity.

“From the date of this letter, you have no authority – implied, express, or ostensible to act, speak, or make representations on my behalf, on behalf of my family, or on behalf of IPOB,” he said.

Referencing the IPOB Code of Conduct, Kanu maintained that only he possesses the authority to appoint or remove legal representatives for the separatist group.

“As the leader of IPOB and the holder of the exclusive authority vested in me under the Code of Conduct, I hereby reaffirm that any authority previously granted to you to represent IPOB has been withdrawn,” he declared.

He further directed Ejiofor to refrain from making public statements on behalf of himself, his family or IPOB, and warned him against presenting himself as his legal representative in court or in any public capacity.

Kanu also reminded the lawyer that information obtained during the course of legal representation remained confidential and legally protected.

“Those obligations of confidence survive the termination of your retainer and remain binding indefinitely under the applicable rules governing legal practitioners.

“Recent events have given rise to serious concerns regarding the possible disclosure or use of information obtained during the course of that representation,” he said, adding that he reserved the right to institute legal action if the confidentiality obligation was breached.

Reacting in a statement published on his Facebook page, Ejiofor dismissed Kanu’s allegations, claiming that the IPOB leader had subjected him to repeated threats and blackmail while in detention.

The lawyer further alleged that Kanu had unsuccessfully sent “foot soldiers” after him and had also made false accusations against him, including claims that he was romantically involved with Kanu’s wife.

Ejiofor described the allegation as “the most reprehensible and utterly unfounded and defamatory allegation.”

He insisted that he had never contemplated or engaged in any such conduct and said he had deliberately remained silent despite the repeated accusations.

According to him, Kanu’s continuous public attacks on his former counsel had altered the circumstances surrounding professional confidentiality, making it necessary for him to defend his reputation if required.

“Let me, therefore, tell the daydreamer this: the time has not yet come for me to divulge professionally obtained information.

“And even if I had intended to do so, I would have done so long before now. I have, however, consistently allowed myself to be guided by the dictates of professional ethics, restraint and responsibility.

“I have no desire whatsoever to become responsible for the consequences of another person’s actions,” Ejiofor stated.

Ejiofor served as Kanu’s lead counsel for several years before his removal was first announced in June 2023.

At the time, Kanu’s younger brother, Kanunta Kanu, disclosed via X that Ejiofor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, had been relieved of their roles in the IPOB leader’s legal team.

Kanunta had alleged that the decision followed Ozekhome’s refusal to visit Kanu at the Department of State Services (DSS) facility despite repeated requests.

His latest letter formally confirms Ejiofor’s disengagement and marks a fresh escalation in the public dispute between Kanu and his former lawyer.