Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally ended his legal relationship with longtime attorney Ifeanyi Ejiofor. In a letter dated July 22 and personally signed, Kanu confirmed the dismissal that had previously been communicated verbally.
Formal Disengagement Letter
In the letter addressed to Ejiofor, Kanu stated: “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 IPOB leader accused Ejiofor of continuing to function “directly or indirectly” as his legal representative and that of IPOB despite the initial termination.
Kanu explicitly withdrew any authority granted to Ejiofor to act for or represent IPOB in any capacity. Citing a section of the IPOB code of conduct concerning appointments and dismissals, Kanu stressed that only he holds the power to appoint or retain legal representatives for the group. He declared, “As the leader of IPOB and the holder of the exclusive authority vested in me under the Code of Conduct, I hereby reaffirm that any authority previously granted to you to represent IPOB has been withdrawn.”
Confidentiality and Warning
Kanu reminded Ejiofor that he had acquired confidential and privileged information during his representation, which remains protected even after termination. He warned against any disclosure, stating, “Recent events have given rise to serious concerns regarding the possible disclosure or use of information obtained during the course of that representation.” Kanu added that he reserves the right to sue if confidentiality is breached.
Ejiofor's Reaction
Reacting on Facebook on Monday, Ejiofor suggested that Kanu had been blackmailing and threatening him from prison. He claimed Kanu allegedly sent “foot soldiers to eliminate” him. Ejiofor also addressed a prior accusation by Kanu that he had an affair with Kanu’s wife, calling it “the most reprehensible and utterly unfounded and defamatory allegation.” He denied ever contemplating such actions.
Ejiofor argued that by repeatedly attacking him, Kanu had “fundamentally altered the circumstances surrounding professional confidentiality,” potentially forcing Ejiofor to defend his reputation. He stated, “Let me, therefore, tell the daydreamer this: the time has not yet come for me to divulge professionally obtained information. And even if I had intended to do so, I would have done so long before now.” He maintained he has been guided by professional ethics and restraint.
Previous Dismissal in 2023
This is not the first time Kanu has dismissed Ejiofor. In June 2023, Kanu’s younger brother, Kanunta Kanu, announced on X that Ejiofor and Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, were no longer needed in Kanu’s case. The family cited Ozekhome’s alleged refusal to see Kanu at the State Security Service facility since May 11 of that year despite multiple requests.
