Nnamdi Kanu Sacks Longtime Lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Orders Him to Stop Representing IPOB

Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally ended the services of his longtime personal lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, directing him to immediately stop acting on behalf of him, his family and the separatist group.

The directive was contained in a letter dated July 22, 2026, which Kanu said he wrote from the Sokoto Correctional Centre. In the letter, he stated that Ejiofor’s engagement had already been terminated verbally and that the latest correspondence served as formal written confirmation of the decision.

Kanu also revoked what he described as any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to represent IPOB. He maintained that the lawyer no longer has any express, implied or apparent authority to speak or act for the organisation in any capacity.

Relying on Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct, Kanu argued that only the IPOB leader has the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers unless that authority has been expressly delegated. He said no committee, former office holder or individual acting outside the provisions of the group’s code can validly appoint or retain legal representatives for IPOB.

As part of the directive, Kanu instructed Ejiofor to stop issuing public statements, granting media interviews, publishing press releases or making social media posts on behalf of him, his family or IPOB. He also asked the lawyer to stop presenting himself as his legal representative in any court, public forum or official engagement.

In addition, Kanu directed Ejiofor to take the necessary legal steps to withdraw from any pending matters where he remains counsel of record. He further warned the lawyer against disclosing or using any confidential or privileged information obtained during the course of their professional relationship without his express written approval.

“Accordingly, I hereby place you on formal notice that you are not authorized to disclose, publish, communicate, exploit, or otherwise use any confidential or privileged information acquired in the course of your retainer, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose whatsoever, except as required by law or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, without my express written authorization from me.

“Any unauthorized disclosure or misuse of privileged information may constitute professional misconduct and may give rise to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, as well as any other remedies available under the law.”

Kanu concluded by warning that any breach of client confidentiality or misuse of privileged information could amount to professional misconduct and expose the lawyer to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), as well as other legal consequences provided by law.