TD SOKOTO, Nigeria — The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has formally terminated the services of his longtime personal lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, directing him to immediately cease representing him, his family, or IPOB in any capacity.
The decision was conveyed in a four-page letter dated July 22, 2026, written from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, where Kanu is currently being held.
In the letter, Kanu stated that Ejiofor’s engagement as his personal legal representative had previously been terminated verbally, explaining that the latest correspondence was intended to serve as formal written confirmation of that decision.
“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,” the letter stated.
Kanu further withdrew what he described as any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to represent IPOB, insisting that the lawyer no longer possesses any express, implied, or ostensible authority to speak or act on behalf of the separatist movement.
The IPOB leader cited Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct, maintaining that the authority to appoint, suspend, or dismiss principal officers rests exclusively with the IPOB leader unless such powers are expressly delegated.
According to Kanu, no individual, committee, or former office holder acting outside the provisions of the IPOB Code of Conduct can validly appoint, retain, or authorize legal representatives for the organisation.
He therefore declared that any purported mandate or authority claimed by Ejiofor to represent IPOB was no longer recognised by the movement.
Kanu directed the lawyer to immediately cease making public statements, granting interviews, issuing press releases, or publishing social media posts purporting to speak on behalf of him, his family, or IPOB.
He also instructed Ejiofor to stop presenting himself as his legal representative or that of IPOB in any court, forum, or public space and to take the necessary legal steps to withdraw from any pending matters where he remained counsel on record.
The letter further warned against the disclosure of confidential information obtained during the course of Ejiofor’s legal representation.
“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.
“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 cautioned that any breach of client confidentiality or unauthorised disclosure of privileged information could amount to professional misconduct and attract disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), in addition to other legal actions.
He also directed Ejiofor to preserve all files and materials relating to his representation in anticipation of possible legal proceedings, warning that failure to comply with the directives could result in petitions before the LPDC and other legal remedies.
The letter concluded by stating that Kanu reserved all legal and equitable rights available to him in his personal capacity and as Leader of IPOB.
