The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has officially terminated his legal representation by Ifeanyi Ejiofor through a personally signed letter dated July 22, 2026. The letter formalizes a previous verbal dismissal, which Kanu stated had already taken effect. Despite the verbal notice, Kanu alleged that Ejiofor continued to act, directly or indirectly, as a legal representative for both Kanu and IPOB, prompting this written confirmation.
Kanu's Formal Termination and Confidentiality Warning
In the letter, Kanu wrote: "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 invoked the IPOB Code of Conduct, asserting that only he holds the authority to appoint or retain legal counsel for the organization. He declared that Ejiofor has no "implied, express, or ostensible" authority to represent him, his family, or IPOB from the date of the letter. Kanu also directed Ejiofor to cease making public statements related to him or the group and to stop presenting himself as legal counsel in any forum, including courtrooms where he remains listed. Regarding confidentiality, Kanu reminded Ejiofor that legally protected information obtained during the representation remains undisclosable even after termination, citing concerns about possible disclosure and reserving the right to pursue legal action.
Ejiofor's Counter-Allegations and Defense
Ejiofor responded via a Facebook statement, leveling serious counter-allegations. He claimed that Kanu had been threatening him from his Sokoto prison and allegedly sent "foot soldiers to eliminate" him, though those attempts reportedly failed. Ejiofor described Kanu's accusation of an affair with Kanu's wife as "the most reprehensible and utterly unfounded and defamatory allegation," emphasizing that he never "contemplated, imagined or remotely considered" such a relationship. On confidentiality, Ejiofor argued that Kanu's repeated public attacks had "fundamentally altered the circumstances surrounding professional confidentiality," potentially forcing him to defend his reputation. However, he stressed that he has not yet disclosed any information and remains guided by professional ethics. "Let me, therefore, tell the daydreamer this: the time has not yet come for me to divulge professionally obtained information," Ejiofor wrote.
Previous Dismissal and International Support
This is not the first time Ejiofor has been dismissed from Kanu's legal team. In June 2023, Kanu's younger brother, Kanunta Kanu, announced on X that both Ejiofor and Senior Advocate Mike Ozekhome had been removed from the legal team handling matters before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Meanwhile, renewed international pressure has emerged for Kanu's release. United States Congressman John James of Michigan introduced Resolution H.Res. 1321 on May 22, 2026, calling on Nigeria to ensure that legal proceedings involving Kanu meet constitutional obligations and international human rights standards. James spoke on the House floor on July 23, 2026, framing Kanu's imprisonment as part of a broader crisis of religious persecution against Christians in Nigeria. The resolution is currently before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
