Nnamdi Kanu sacks Ifeanyi Ejiofor as lawyer, confidentiality breach

• Nnamdi Kanu formally terminated the services of his longtime lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor through a letter dated July 22, 2026.
• Ejofor was previously sacked in June 2023 alongside another member of the legal team, Mike Ozekhome.
• Kanu accused Ejofor of continuing to function as his legal representative despite initial termination.
• The IPOB leader warned Ejofor to refrain from making public statements on his behalf and to stop portraying himself as Kanu's legal representative.

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.

In a letter dated July 22, 2026, Nnamdi Kanu, who was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in November 2025, formally terminated the services of his longtime lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor. This move comes after the IPOB leader's family announced Ejiofor's sack in June 2023, alongside another member of the legal team, Mike Ozekhome. The formal disengagement letter serves as a written confirmation of the earlier verbal termination, which Kanu claims was made directly to Ejiofor. According to the letter, Ejofor had continued to function as legal representative for Kanu and IPOB despite the initial termination, prompting Kanu to formally withdraw any authority granted to him.

Kanu emphasized that as the leader of IPOB, he has exclusive authority vested in him under the Code of Conduct to appoint or retain legal representatives. He warned Ejofor to refrain from making public statements on his behalf and to stop portraying himself as Kanu's legal representative. The IPOB leader also reminded Ejofor of the confidential information he acquired during their representation, stressing that these obligations survive termination and remain binding indefinitely under applicable rules governing legal practitioners.

Kanu's formal disengagement highlights the importance of confidentiality obligations for lawyers representing clients in detention. Even after termination, lawyers may still be bound by these obligations and could face legal consequences for breaching them. This case serves as a reminder to lawyers that they must remain vigilant in protecting their clients' confidential information, even after their representation has ended.

Lawyers representing clients in detention should be aware that even after termination, they may still be bound by confidentiality obligations and could face legal consequences for breaching them.

Source: Original reporting via [Source]