IPOB has disowned lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor as Nnamdi Kanu’s counsel, warning media outlets against identifying him as the group’s legal representative.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has announced that lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor no longer represents the organisation or its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, warning media organisations against presenting him as the group’s legal counsel.
IPOB made the declaration in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, in which the organisation sought to clarify what it described as the current status of Kanu’s legal representation.
According to the group, Ejiofor’s removal followed a decision reportedly taken by Kanu himself while he was being held at Sokoto Prison.
IPOB said Kanu communicated his decision in a letter from the correctional facility, allegedly informing the relevant parties that he had terminated Ejiofor’s role as his lawyer.
The organisation claimed that Kanu took the decision because of concerns over the manner in which his terrorism trial was being handled.
IPOB alleged that the separatist leader was dissatisfied with the legal representation he received from Ejiofor and considered it inadequate.
The group subsequently accused the lawyer of what it described as gross incompetence and professional misconduct.
“For the avoidance of doubt: Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu debriefed and sacked Mr. Ejiofor for gross incompetence and professional misconduct,” IPOB said in the statement.
The organisation did not, however, provide further details in the statement on the specific incidents it relied upon in making the allegations against the lawyer.
Ejiofor was also accused by IPOB of having links with individuals or groups that the organisation claimed were opposed to efforts to secure Kanu’s release.
IPOB alleged that the lawyer had continued to present himself, or had been presented by others, as someone with authority to speak or act on behalf of Kanu and the organisation despite his alleged removal.
The group strongly rejected such a position, insisting that Ejiofor no longer possesses any mandate to represent either IPOB or its detained leader.
IPOB therefore described anyone attempting to portray Ejiofor as its authorised counsel as an impostor and urged members of the public not to rely on statements attributed to him as official positions of the organisation.
The warning was particularly directed at the media.
Powerful said news organisations should stop identifying Ejiofor as IPOB’s lawyer or as Kanu’s current legal representative in reports concerning the group and its leader.
The organisation warned that media houses that continue to use such descriptions could face legal action.
IPOB argued that accurate identification of those authorised to represent the group is important, particularly because statements attributed to its representatives can influence public understanding of its activities and Kanu’s ongoing legal battles.
The group maintained that Kanu’s recognised legal representatives are those who were personally appointed and authorised by him.
It consequently called on journalists and other media practitioners to verify the status of any individual claiming to speak for Kanu or IPOB before publishing such claims.
The organisation said its position should serve as clarification to the public and the media regarding the individuals who currently have authority to represent Kanu in legal matters.
IPOB also appealed to its supporters to disregard statements or claims made by persons whom it said were no longer authorised to speak on behalf of the organisation.
The development comes amid continued legal proceedings involving Kanu, whose case has remained a major issue within the wider agitation associated with IPOB.
Kanu has for years been at the centre of the organisation’s campaign for self-determination in the South-East, while his detention and prosecution have continued to generate strong reactions from his supporters, political figures and other stakeholders.
His legal representation has consequently remained an important part of discussions surrounding his case.
IPOB’s latest statement seeks to draw a clear line between individuals it recognises as part of Kanu’s legal team and those it says no longer have any official relationship with him.
The organisation stressed that the authority to represent Kanu must come directly from him and that individuals who no longer enjoy that mandate should not be presented as acting on his behalf.
It further alleged that Ejiofor’s continued association with the legal affairs of Kanu could create confusion among members of the public, particularly where comments credited to him are interpreted as official positions.
The group therefore urged journalists to exercise caution when reporting comments from lawyers or other individuals claiming to represent Kanu.
It said the public should rely only on statements issued by the recognised leadership of IPOB or members of the legal team appointed by Kanu.
While IPOB’s statement contained serious allegations against Ejiofor, the lawyer was not quoted in the statement as responding to the accusations of incompetence, professional misconduct or alleged association with groups opposed to Kanu’s release.
The claims should therefore be understood as allegations made by IPOB, pending any response from Ejiofor or other relevant parties.
IPOB concluded by reiterating that Ejiofor should no longer be regarded as its counsel or Kanu’s lawyer.
The group said it would continue to defend what it considers to be the proper structure of Kanu’s legal representation and would take steps, including possible legal action, against organisations or individuals it believes deliberately misrepresent his current status.
For now, the organisation’s message is that only lawyers formally authorised by Kanu should be recognised as representing him, while Ejiofor, according to IPOB, no longer has such authority.
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