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Kanu Formally Sacks Ejiofor As Lawyer, Issues Cease-And-Desist Notice
Ikechi Nzeako
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has formally terminated his legal retainer with Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor and issued a cease-and-desist notice directing him to immediately stop representing himself as counsel to Kanu, his family, or IPOB.
In a letter dated July 22, 2026, addressed to Ejiofor at his Abuja office and signed by Kanu from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, the IPOB leader confirmed that the retainer had previously been terminated verbally and formally withdrew any remaining authority for Ejiofor to act on his behalf.
“Your engagement as my personal legal representative was previously terminated by me through direct verbal communication, upon which you ceased acting in that capacity. This letter serves, in part, as a formal written confirmation of that earlier termination,” Kanu wrote.
He added that despite the earlier withdrawal, Ejiofor had continued to hold himself out as a representative of the movement. “Notwithstanding the foregoing, you have continued to hold yourself out, directly or indirectly, as legal representative of IPOB.
“Accordingly, and for the avoidance of any doubt whatsoever, I hereby formally withdraw and terminate any authority previously granted to you to act for or represent IPOB in any capacity.
“From the date of this letter, you have no authority – implied, express, or ostensible – to act, speak, or make representations on my behalf, on behalf of my family, or on behalf of IPOB,” the letter read.
Kanu anchored his directive in the movement’s internal governing document, quoting Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct: “The power to appoint, suspend or dismiss erring Principal officers vest exclusively on the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, except and to the extent he clearly and expressly delegates that power to any other principal officer.”
He further stated that no person or body operating outside that framework could validly instruct or retain legal counsel on IPOB’s behalf.
“It follows that no individual, officer, committee, or former office holder acting outside the authority recognized by the Code of Conduct may validly appoint, retain, instruct, authorize, or continue to instruct legal representatives on behalf of IPOB.
“Any purported authority derived from a person or body acting contrary to the Code of Conduct is not recognized by IPOB as an exercise of its internal authority,” he wrote.
The letter set out three specific directives, effective immediately. Kanu instructed Ejiofor to “refrain entirely from making any public statements, comments, interviews, press releases, or social media posts purporting to speak on my behalf, on behalf of my family, or on behalf of IPOB, or to disclose or rely upon confidential or privileged information acquired during your retainer.
“Cease and desist from presenting or portraying yourself, directly or indirectly, as my legal representative or as legal representative of IPOB in any forum, court, or public space.
“Take all appropriate procedural steps required by law to cease acting as my legal representative on record in any matter in which you remain listed, including filing the necessary notices where applicable.”
Kanu also reminded Ejiofor that obligations of client confidentiality survive the end of a legal retainer.
“During the course of your representation of me and IPOB over several years, you acquired confidential, privileged, and legally protected information relating to my legal affairs, my family, and the affairs of IPOB.
“Those obligations of confidence survive the termination of your retainer and remain binding indefinitely under the applicable rules governing legal practitioners,” he wrote.
He said recent developments had raised concerns about possible misuse of such information.
“Recent events have given rise to serious concerns regarding the possible disclosure or use of information obtained during the course of that representation.
“Accordingly, I hereby place you on formal notice that you are not authorized to disclose, publish, communicate, exploit, or otherwise use any confidential or privileged information acquired in the course of your retainer, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose whatsoever, except as required by law or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, without my express written authorization from me.”
He warned, “Any unauthorized disclosure or misuse of privileged information may constitute professional misconduct and may give rise to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, as well as any other remedies available under the law.”
Kanu further directed Ejiofor to safeguard all documents relating to the former representation, noting, “In anticipation of possible legal proceedings, you are directed to preserve all files and materials relating to your representation of me and IPOB, subject to any applicable legal or professional obligations governing their custody and retention, and to refrain from destroying, altering, or dissipating any such materials.”
Describing the letter as a final warning, Kanu outlined the steps he would take if Ejiofor failed to comply.
“This is a final warning. Should you disregard this directive in any respect – whether by continuing unauthorized public commentary, holding yourself out as my legal representative or as legal representative of IPOB, or disclosing privileged information – you will leave me with no option but to pursue all lawful remedies,” he wrote.
He said he would instruct his legal team to take two specific actions such as filing “a formal petition before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) detailing professional misconduct including, where supported by the evidence, acting without authority, any breach of client confidentiality, any unauthorized disclosure of privileged information, and any other professional misconduct disclosed by the facts.
“Instituting such other legal proceedings as may be necessary to restrain further unauthorized representations, to secure injunctive relief for the protection of confidential information, and to seek appropriate damages.”
Kanu reiterated that Ejiofor’s “authority to act as my legal representative and as legal representative of IPOB has been withdrawn.
“To the extent you remain counsel on record in any pending proceedings, you are expected to take the procedural steps required by the applicable law and rules of court to regularize the record. You have no mandate to speak for me, my family, or IPOB,” he wrote.
He emphasised, “Nothing in this letter shall be construed as a waiver of any legal or equitable rights or remedies available to me in my personal capacity or as Leader of IPOB, all of which are expressly reserved. Govern yourself accordingly.”
