Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor has publicly clarified that he ceased representing Nnamdi Kanu as a personal lawyer in December 2023, months before Kanu was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. In a signed statement dated July 28, 2026, Ejiofor addressed what he described as a deliberate distortion of facts following Kanu's announcement that he had sacked his lawyer.
Ejiofor Withdrew from Representing Kanu in December 2023
Ejiofor, in his statement, emphasized that any suggestion he continued to act as Kanu's personal counsel after December 2023 is inaccurate. 'From December 2023 to date, I have not represented Nnamdi Kanu in any capacity whatsoever, whether as his private counsel, family lawyer, or otherwise,' Ejiofor wrote. He stressed that his withdrawal occurred well before Kanu's conviction, making it clear that he was not involved in the latter stages of the legal proceedings that led to the life sentence.
This clarification comes after Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), publicly announced the dissolution of his legal team, prompting Ejiofor to set the record straight regarding the timeline of his involvement.
Ejiofor's Firm Continued IPOB Representation, Secured Over 200 Acquittals
While distancing himself from Kanu personally, Ejiofor confirmed that his law firm maintained a separate and continuing mandate from IPOB as an organization. He explained that this representation was independent of Kanu's personal legal affairs. Under this mandate, his team achieved significant legal victories, securing the discharge and acquittal of over 200 alleged IPOB members across multiple courts. Between December 2023 and 2025, these acquittals were obtained at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the High Court of Ebonyi State, and the Abia State High Court.
Ejiofor clarified the source of his original appointment, noting that Kanu's involvement was limited to his capacity as a personal lawyer at the time. The mandate to represent IPOB as an organization, he stressed, was a separate and independent arrangement that Kanu had no authority to revoke. 'IPOB, as an organisation, has today reaffirmed our standing as its solicitors and legal representatives. That professional relationship is founded upon a continuing mandate and cannot be retrospectively altered, invalidated, or otherwise dictated by its former leaders,' Ejiofor stated.
Warning on Unverified Inmate Communications
In his statement, Ejiofor also addressed a growing trend of unverified reporting on communications attributed to inmates. He cautioned journalists against publishing statements purportedly from convicted persons or remand prisoners without proper authentication. Citing the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, he pointed out that any communication from an inmate must carry the authentication of the officer in charge of the relevant correctional centre before it can be considered valid. Ejiofor urged media practitioners to verify such communications against legal and administrative standards to avoid spreading misinformation.
US Congressman Renews Push for Kanu's Release
In a related development, United States Congressman John James renewed his call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu on the floor of the House of Representatives on July 23. James, who represents Michigan, framed Kanu's imprisonment as part of a larger crisis of religious persecution against Christians in Nigeria. He highlighted H.Res. 1321, a resolution he introduced on May 22, 2026, which urges Nigeria to ensure that all legal proceedings involving Kanu comply with constitutional obligations and international human rights standards. This external pressure adds another layer to the ongoing legal and political saga surrounding the IPOB leader.
Ejiofor's statement serves to clarify his professional role and distance himself from the recent developments, while also reinforcing the integrity of his firm's work for IPOB. The clarification comes amid ongoing debates about Kanu's conviction and the broader implications for the separatist movement.
