Nnamdi Kanu Sacks Longtime Lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Issues Fresh Directive from Prison

The convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally terminated the services of his long-time personal lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, directing him to immediately cease representing him, his family or the organisation in any capacity.

Kanu conveyed the decision in a letter dated July 22, 2026, written from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, where he is being held.

The letter formally confirmed an earlier decision to end Ejiofor’s engagement, which Kanu said had initially been communicated verbally.

Beyond terminating the lawyer’s personal legal engagement, Kanu also withdrew any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to act or speak on behalf of IPOB.

According to the letter, Ejiofor no longer has any express, implied or ostensible mandate to represent Kanu or the organisation.

Kanu based his position on what he described as provisions of the IPOB Code of Conduct, arguing that the authority to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers of the organisation rests with its leader, unless such powers have been expressly delegated.

He maintained that no individual, committee or former office holder acting outside the provisions of the code could validly appoint or retain legal representatives on behalf of IPOB.

Consequently, Kanu declared that any authority previously claimed by Ejiofor to represent the organisation was no longer recognised.

The development marks a significant change in the legal relationship between Kanu and Ejiofor, who has for years been associated with the IPOB leader's legal representation and public defence.

Kanu Orders Ejiofor To Stop Public Statements

In the letter, Kanu further directed Ejiofor to immediately stop making public statements, granting media interviews, issuing press releases or publishing material on social media on behalf of him, his family or IPOB.

He also instructed the lawyer to withdraw from any ongoing legal proceedings in which he remains counsel on record and to stop presenting himself as Kanu's legal representative before any court, forum or in any public engagement.

The directive effectively seeks to end Ejiofor's formal association with Kanu's legal affairs and his public representation of the IPOB leader and the organisation.

Kanu also warned the lawyer against disclosing or using confidential information obtained during the course of their professional relationship.

“Accordingly, I hereby place you on formal notice that you are not authorised to disclose, publish, communicate, exploit, or otherwise use any confidential or privileged information acquired in the course of your retainer… without my express written authorisation,” the letter stated.

Kanu further cautioned that any breach of the obligation of confidentiality could amount to professional misconduct and potentially expose the lawyer to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, in addition to any other legal consequences that may arise.

Fresh Development In Kanu’s Legal Affairs

The decision comes against the backdrop of Kanu's ongoing legal and political battles and could lead to changes in the team of lawyers handling matters connected to him.

The letter, as presented, does not provide details of the circumstances that led to the formal termination of Ejiofor's services or explain whether another lawyer has been appointed to take over any of the affected cases.

It also does not indicate how the termination will affect pending court proceedings in which Ejiofor may still be listed as counsel of record.

Those issues could become significant if Ejiofor remains formally attached to any ongoing proceedings, particularly where procedural steps are required to effect a change of legal representation.

For now, Kanu's position, as contained in the July 22 letter, is that Ejiofor no longer has authority to represent him personally, his family or IPOB.

The latest directive also places renewed attention on the internal structure of IPOB and the authority of its leadership to determine who may speak or act for the organisation.

Kanu's letter specifically relied on the organisation's stated code of conduct to assert that authority, while rejecting any representation made by Ejiofor outside a mandate expressly recognised by him.

The development is expected to generate further interest among Kanu's supporters and observers of the long-running legal and political controversies surrounding IPOB.