The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally withdrawn the authority of his longtime lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, to represent him, his family or IPOB, while the lawyer insists he had already ended his personal legal representation of Kanu more than two years ago. The development followed the emergence of a letter dated July 22, 2026, purportedly written by Kanu from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, in which he formally terminated Ejiofor’s services as his personal legal representative. This report was made public by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, who shared it on his Facebook page.
According to the letter, Kanu said Ejiofor’s engagement had earlier been terminated verbally, with the latest correspondence serving as formal written confirmation of the decision. He also withdrew any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to act for or represent IPOB, maintaining that the lawyer no longer possessed any express, implied or ostensible authority to speak or act on behalf of the separatist group. Citing Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct, Kanu stated that the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers rests solely with the IPOB leader unless expressly delegated.
He argued that no individual, committee or former office holder acting outside the provisions of the code could validly appoint or retain legal representatives for the organisation. Kanu further directed Ejiofor to immediately cease making public statements, granting interviews, issuing press releases or publishing social media posts on behalf of him, his family or IPOB. He also instructed the lawyer to stop presenting himself as his legal representative or that of IPOB in any court, forum or public space and to withdraw from any pending matters where he remained counsel on record.
On client confidentiality, Kanu warned against the disclosure or use of privileged information obtained during the legal relationship, saying any unauthorised disclosure could amount to professional misconduct and attract disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, in addition to other legal remedies. However, Ejiofor has rejected suggestions that he was only recently removed as Kanu’s lawyer, insisting he voluntarily withdrew from representing the IPOB leader in December 2023.
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