Ejiofor Says He Stopped Being Kanu’s Lawyer in 2023, Still Represents IPOB

Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who used to be Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, has reacted to Kanu’s decision to cut ties with him. Earlier, Kanu, the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), sent a letter on July 22, saying Ejiofor was no longer his lawyer. Kanu also told Ejiofor to stop making public statements on his behalf, his family, or the IPOB.

‘I stopped being your lawyer, but I still represent IPOB’

In a statement on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Ejiofor said he had already stepped down as Kanu’s legal representative. He stated, "For the avoidance of doubt, and for the sake of clarity, I wish to state unequivocally that I personally disengaged myself from the legal representation of Nnamdi Kanu in any capacity since December 2023, long before his eventual conviction and the subsequent sentence to life imprisonment."

Ejiofor confirmed that he is still the legal representative for IPOB, even after leaving Kanu. He said, "In the exercise of our professional rights and responsibilities as legal practitioners, we have, throughout the relevant period, remained in effective and continuous retainership as solicitors to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)."

He also mentioned that, as IPOB’s lawyer, he and his team had worked hard and professionally. Ejiofor noted that they had secured the discharge and acquittal of over 200 people accused of being IPOB members in several high courts across Nigeria from December 2023 to 2025.

Ejiofor added, "For the avoidance of doubt, Nnamdi Kanu never independently appointed us as attorneys to the IPOB. His limited involvement in our appointment was solely in his capacity as his personal lawyer, from which we had, since December 2023, formally disengaged our services."

Leadership Confusion

Ejiofor also included a letter signed by Chika Edoziem, who leads the third Directorate of the State (DOS) of IPOB. Reports say Kanu recently dissolved this DOS led by Edoziem and appointed someone new. Edoziem later announced Kanu’s suspension as IPOB leader, causing confusion.

The letter, dated July 27, 2026, and titled "Reaffirmation of appointment as IPOB legal representative," stated that Ejiofor was reappointed as IPOB’s legal representative. Edoziem claimed this reappointment followed his return as the group’s directorate leader and Kanu’s suspension.

Edoziem wrote, "This letter of appointment as IPOB’s general legal counsel not only renews your brief as legal representative for the Indigenous People of Biafra, but also overrides and replaces the initial letter of appointment dated 2nd May 2017, taking the present leadership structure of IPOB into account."

Ejiofor also attached a copy of his original appointment letter as IPOB’s legal representative, which was dated May 2, 2017, and signed by Kanu, Uche Mefor, and Edoziem. In his statement on Tuesday, he explained why he believes he should still represent IPOB, citing the recent reappointment letter from Edoziem.

Authenticity of Kanu’s Communication

Ejiofor questioned whether Kanu’s communication from Sokoto prison is genuine. He mentioned that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act outlines how a prisoner’s communication should be verified.

"Any communication purportedly emanating from an inmate, whether a convicted prisoner or a person awaiting trial, must bear the imprimatur and appropriate authentication of the officer in charge of the relevant correctional centre. This requirement is intended to ensure the authenticity, integrity, and proper verification of such communication," he said, implying that Kanu might not have written the message about his disengagement.