Nnamdi Kanu Sacks Lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor Amid Sabotage Allegations

Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), formally terminated the legal services of barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor in a letter dated July 22, 2026. Writing from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, Kanu withdrew Ejiofor's authority to represent him, his family, and the organization, citing the IPOB Code of Conduct which grants the leader sole authority over appointments.

Ifeanyi Ejiofor rejected the dismissal, stating he had already voluntarily withdrawn from representing Kanu personally in December 2023. He claimed his firm remains the valid retained solicitor for IPOB as an organization and questioned the authenticity of Kanu's letter, arguing that correspondence from inmates must be authenticated by correctional facility officers under the Nigerian Correctional Service Act.

IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful dismissed Ejiofor's claims of reaffirmation as a legal nullity, stating the letter supporting the lawyer was signed by expelled members, including Chika Edoziem, who lack appointment authority. The organization accused Ejiofor of professional negligence and sabotage, specifically alleging he failed to file a preliminary objection against a civil stay of execution by former Attorney General Abubakar Malami. IPOB further claimed Ejiofor undermined Kanu by visiting the Department of State Services facility and attending court proceedings while Kanu was boycotting the trial.