Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has clarified that he voluntarily ceased representing Nnamdi Kanu in December 2023, rejecting claims that he was only recently dismissed. This follows the circulation of a letter allegedly from Kanu, written from Sokoto Correctional Centre, announcing the termination of Ejiofor's services. Ejiofor stated he personally withdrew from representing Kanu before his conviction and life sentence, asserting he has not acted for him, his family or private interests since that time. He emphasized that any suggestion otherwise distorts the facts.
While Ejiofor ended his personal legal role, his law firm continues to represent IPOB under a separate mandate. The firm secured the discharge and acquittal of over 200 alleged IPOB members after full trials in Abuja, Ebonyi and Abia between December 2023 and 2025. Ejiofor noted that IPOB has reaffirmed his firm's position as its solicitors, stating the mandate remains valid regardless of Kanu's former leadership role. He also questioned the authenticity of the dismissal letter, citing the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, which requires inmate communications to be authenticated by the officer in charge of the facility.
Ejiofor urged the public and journalists to verify such documents before dissemination, warning against reliance on unauthorised correspondence. He maintained that the facts about his legal status are publicly accessible and urged reliance on verifiable records rather than manufactured narratives.
Ejiofor claims he left Kanu's case months before the conviction, yet the letter from Sokoto suggests a current termination, creating a timeline conflict. This discrepancy matters because it challenges the validity of the letter and raises questions about who controls communication from a high-profile inmate. If the document lacks official authentication, its use could mislead public understanding of the legal process.
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