The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, has formally ended his legal relationship with his longtime lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
Kanu has also ordered Ejiofor to immediately stop representing him, his family or IPOB in any capacity.
The directive was contained in a letter dated July 22, 2026, written from the Sokoto Correctional Centre and made public on Monday, July 27.
In the letter, Kanu said Ejiofor’s engagement as his personal legal representative had previously been terminated verbally, adding that the latest correspondence served as formal written confirmation of the decision.
He also revoked any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to act for or represent IPOB, insisting that the lawyer no longer possessed any express, implied or ostensible authority to speak or act on behalf of the group.
Citing Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct, Kanu said the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers rests exclusively with the IPOB leader unless such authority is expressly delegated.
He argued that no individual, committee or former office holder acting outside the provisions of the IPOB Code of Conduct could validly appoint or retain legal representatives for the organisation.
Kanu therefore maintained that any purported mandate or authority claimed by Ejiofor to represent IPOB was no longer recognised.
He directed the lawyer to immediately stop making public statements, granting interviews, issuing press releases or publishing social media posts on behalf of him, his family or IPOB.
Kanu also instructed Ejiofor to stop presenting himself as his legal representative or that of IPOB in any court, forum or public space.
He further directed him to take the necessary legal steps to withdraw from any pending matters in which he remained counsel on record.
Kanu warned Ejiofor against disclosing, publishing, communicating, exploiting or otherwise using any confidential or privileged information obtained during his legal retainer, except where required by law or by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
He said any unauthorised disclosure or misuse of such information could amount to professional misconduct and lead to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC, as well as other legal actions.
Kanu further cautioned that any breach of client confidentiality or unauthorised disclosure of privileged information could attract additional legal consequences.
