Nnamdi Kanu Sacks Longtime Lawyer Ejiofor, Revokes Authority to Speak for IPOB

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally terminated the services of his longtime lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, directing him to immediately cease representing him, his family and the pro-Biafra movement in any capacity.

Kanu conveyed the decision in a letter dated July 22, 2026, from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, where he is currently in custody.

In the letter, the IPOB leader said Ejiofor had earlier been informed verbally that his services were no longer required, explaining that the latest correspondence was intended to formally document the termination.

“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 wrote.

Kanu also withdrew every authority previously granted to the lawyer to represent him or speak on behalf of his family and IPOB.

He maintained that under the IPOB Code of Conduct, only the leader of the movement has the authority to appoint, suspend or remove principal officers and representatives, except where such powers have been expressly delegated.

The separatist leader directed Ejiofor to stop issuing statements, granting media interviews, publishing press releases or making social media posts in the name of IPOB, himself or members of his family.

He also instructed the lawyer to discontinue presenting himself as counsel to IPOB or its leader before any court, institution or public gathering and to withdraw from any legal proceedings where he remains listed as counsel for Kanu or the organisation.

According to the letter, all powers previously granted to Ejiofor have been revoked with immediate effect.

Kanu further cautioned against the disclosure or misuse of confidential information obtained during the lawyer-client relationship.

“Any unauthorised disclosure, publication, exploitation or misuse of confidential or privileged information acquired during the course of your retainer may constitute professional misconduct and may attract disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), in addition to any other legal remedies available,” he stated.

The development comes weeks after members of Kanu’s legal team explained the circumstances surrounding Ejiofor’s removal from his defence.

In June, a member of the defence team, Barrister Christopher Chidera, said the IPOB leader disengaged Ejiofor following disagreements over the handling of key legal issues in the case.

Chidera alleged that mistakes made by the former legal team prolonged Kanu’s detention and weakened opportunities that could have strengthened his legal challenge, particularly after the Court of Appeal judgment delivered in October 2022. He also claimed concerns over the legal strategy and internal disagreements ultimately informed Kanu’s decision to replace his longtime counsel.