The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reaffirmed that Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor remains dismissed as its legal representative, insisting that no individual or faction within the movement has the authority to reinstate him.
The position was made known in an emergency address delivered by the Head of IPOB's Directorate of State (4th Administration), Mazi Chris Nwaọgụ, on July 28, 2026.
According to Nwaọgụ, Ejiofor's removal was carried out by IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and remains valid, despite what he described as a purported reinstatement by individuals the group considers expelled members.
He also rejected claims allegedly made by Ejiofor that he voluntarily left Kanu's legal team in 2023, maintaining that the lawyer was first verbally relieved of his duties before the decision was later formalised through official documentation.
The IPOB official argued that, under the organisation's Code of Conduct, only the group's leader has the constitutional authority to appoint or remove principal officers, including legal representatives. He stated that no committee or faction could lawfully overturn such decisions.
Nwaọgụ further criticised Ejiofor's legal handling of Nnamdi Kanu's case, alleging that strategic mistakes in court proceedings contributed to developments that have prolonged the IPOB leader's detention. He also claimed that ongoing legal challenges against Kanu's case remain active and expressed confidence in their outcome.
The Directorate of State warned members of the public, institutions, and organisations against recognising or conducting official business with Ejiofor as IPOB's lawyer, stating that anyone doing so would be acting at their own risk.
The speech concluded with a call for unity among IPOB members, urging supporters to remain focused on the group's objectives while pledging continued loyalty to Nnamdi Kanu's leadership.
