The detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally terminated the services of his longtime lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, accusing him of continuing to act as his legal representative despite an earlier verbal dismissal.
Kanu conveyed the decision in a letter personally signed and dated July 22, 2026, stating that the correspondence was intended to formally confirm a previous verbal instruction ending Ejiofor’s engagement as his personal legal representative.
According to Kanu, although he had already informed Ejiofor verbally that his services were no longer required, the lawyer allegedly continued to function directly or indirectly as his representative and that of IPOB.
He said the formal letter was necessary to eliminate any uncertainty regarding the termination of the legal relationship.
Kanu formally withdraws Ejiofor’s authority
In the letter, Kanu declared that Ejiofor no longer had the authority to act, speak or make representations on behalf of him, his family or the IPOB movement.
He also withdrew any previous authority granted to the lawyer to represent the separatist group in any capacity.
The IPOB leader referenced the organisation’s code of conduct, insisting that only he possesses the authority to appoint or dismiss legal representatives acting on behalf of the group. He reaffirmed that any mandate previously granted to Ejiofor had been completely withdrawn and instructed him to refrain from presenting himself as his lawyer in court proceedings or public engagements.
Kanu further directed the lawyer to stop issuing public statements concerning him, his family or IPOB. He warned that any continued representation without authorisation would be regarded as a violation of his directives.
Warns against disclosure of confidential information
The separatist leader also reminded Ejiofor that, as his former lawyer, he had access to confidential and privileged information obtained during the course of legal representation.
Kanu stressed that the lawyer remained bound by professional obligations of confidentiality even after the termination of their relationship and warned that any disclosure of protected information could result in legal action.
According to Kanu, recent developments had raised concerns about the possible use or disclosure of confidential information acquired during the course of the legal engagement. He maintained that the duty of confidentiality survives the end of a lawyer-client relationship and remains legally binding.
Ejiofor dismisses allegations
Reacting to the letter, Ejiofor dismissed Kanu’s allegations and suggested that the IPOB leader had subjected him to years of threats, blackmail and false accusations, even while in detention.
In a statement published on his Facebook page, the lawyer alleged that Kanu had unsuccessfully sent individuals to attack him and had repeatedly sought to damage his reputation.
Ejiofor also recalled what he described as one of the most damaging accusations ever made against him, alleging that Kanu had falsely accused him of having an intimate relationship with his wife.
He described the allegation as defamatory, baseless and completely fabricated, insisting that he had never contemplated such conduct.
The lawyer said he had deliberately remained silent over the years despite repeated attacks, choosing instead to be guided by professional ethics and restraint. However, he argued that Kanu’s continued public accusations had fundamentally changed the circumstances surrounding legal confidentiality, suggesting that he might eventually be compelled to defend his integrity if the attacks persisted.
Background to the dispute
Despite the dispute, Ejiofor maintained that he had no intention of disclosing confidential information obtained during his legal representation of Kanu, emphasising that his professional obligations remained intact.
He added that if he had intended to reveal such information, he would have done so long before now.
Ejiofor served for several years as Kanu’s lead counsel before his initial removal in June 2023. At the time, Kanu’s younger brother, Kanunta Kanu, publicly announced that Ejiofor and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome had been relieved of their roles in the IPOB leader’s legal team.
The family alleged that Ozekhome had failed to visit Kanu in detention despite repeated requests, leading to the decision to restructure the legal team.
Kanu’s latest letter formally confirms Ejiofor’s removal and marks the latest development in the prolonged disagreement between the IPOB leader and his former lawyer, a dispute that has now spilled into the public domain with both men defending their respective positions.