The imprisoned leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has dismissed the legal services of his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, directing him to immediately stop representing him, his family, or the separatist group in any capacity.
This was contained in a letter sighted by The Trumpet on Monday, dated July 22, 2026, and signed from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
Kanu said the correspondence was issued to formally confirm an earlier verbal decision ending Ejiofor’s engagement as his personal lawyer.
Kanu alleged that despite the earlier dismissal, Ejiofor has continued to hold himself out as counsel for him and IPOB, prompting the written withdrawal of all authority previously granted to the lawyer.
“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.
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“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.”
The IPOB leader further declared that from the date of the letter, Ejiofor no longer has any “implied, express, or ostensible” authority to act or speak on behalf of him, his family, or the organisation.
Kanu anchored his decision on the IPOB code of conduct, insisting that only the leader of the organisation has the authority to appoint or remove principal officers or approve legal representation, except where such powers have been expressly delegated.
He maintained that any authority purportedly granted to Ejiofor by any other individual or body outside the provisions of the code was invalid and would not be recognised.
The IPOB leader also directed Ejiofor to cease issuing public statements, granting interviews, releasing press statements, or making social media posts relating to him, his family, or IPOB.
He further instructed the lawyer to withdraw from all pending matters in which he is listed as counsel on behalf of Kanu or the organisation.
Kanu reminded Ejiofor that the duty of confidentiality survives the termination of a lawyer-client relationship, warning against the disclosure or use of confidential information obtained during the course of the legal engagement.
According to the letter, recent developments have raised “serious concerns” over the possible disclosure or misuse of privileged information, although no specific incident was identified.
He warned that any unauthorised disclosure could amount to professional misconduct and expose the lawyer to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), in addition to other legal consequences.
Kanu also directed Ejiofor to preserve all files and materials relating to his legal representation of both himself and IPOB, saying they may be required in future legal proceedings.
As a final warning, the IPOB leader said he would initiate disciplinary proceedings before the LPDC and pursue other legal remedies, including injunctions and claims for damages, if Ejiofor continued to represent himself as his lawyer or disclosed confidential information.
