SOKOTO — The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has formally terminated the services of his longtime personal lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, and barred him from representing him, his family, or IPOB in any capacity.
In a letter dated July 22, 2026 and written from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, Kanu said Ejiofor’s engagement as his personal legal representative had earlier been terminated verbally. The latest letter, he said, serves as formal written confirmation.
Kanu also withdrew any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to act for or represent IPOB. He insisted that the lawyer no longer has any express, implied or ostensible authority to speak or act on behalf of the group.
Citing Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct, Kanu said the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers rests exclusively with the IPOB leader unless expressly delegated.
He stated that no individual, committee or former office holder acting outside the provisions of the Code can validly appoint or retain legal representatives for the organisation.
The IPOB leader 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 take steps to withdraw from any pending matters where he remains counsel on record.
“_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, except as required by law or by order of a court,_” the letter read.
Kanu warned that any breach of client confidentiality could amount to professional misconduct and attract disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC.
