Ejiofor Reappointed General Legal Counsel to IPOB
..Says he personally Disengaged from Nnamdi Kanu 's personal legal team since 2023
By Chukwudi Ebele
Human Rights Lawyer and Defense Counsel to the Indigenous people of Biafra IPOB, Sir Ifeanyichukwu Ejiofor Esq has been reappointed the General Legal Counsel to IPOB.
In a press release made available to newsmen, titled "SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: I PERSONALLY WITHDREW FROM NNAMDI KANU’S LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN DECEMBER 2023
NO ROOM FOR MISCHIEF: THE FACTS CONCERNING MY LEGAL MANDATE FROM IPOB' Ejiofor explained that the new appointment was made recently by the new Head of Directorate of the State of the IPoB.
According to Ejiofor, For the avoidance of doubt, and for the sake of clarity, I wish to state unequivocally that I personally disengaged myself from the legal representation of Nnamdi Kanu in any capacity since December 2023, long before his eventual conviction and the subsequent sentence to life imprisonment.
"In the exercise of our professional rights and responsibilities as legal practitioners, we have, throughout the relevant period, remained in effective and continuous retainership as solicitors to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In that capacity, we have diligently and professionally discharged our responsibilities, securing the discharge and acquittal, upon the conclusion of full trials, of over 200 alleged members of IPOB across the Federal High Court in Abuja, High Court of Ebonyi State and Abia State High Court respectively, between December 2023 and the year 2025.
These are not matters founded on hearsay or conjecture. The records are matters of public knowledge and are readily verifiable.
For the avoidance of doubt, Nnamdi Kanu never independently appointed us as attorneys to the IPOB. His limited involvement in our appointment was solely in his capacity as his personal lawyer, from which we had, since December 2023, formally disengaged our services. Furthermore, and for the avoidance of any further doubt, therefore, I reiterate that from December 2023 to date, I have not represented Nnamdi Kanu in any capacity whatsoever, whether as his private counsel, family lawyer, or otherwise. Any attempt to suggest the contrary is, at best, a deliberate distortion of the facts and, at worst, a calculated narrative designed to serve ulterior and mischievous purposes.
It is equally important to place on record that IPOB, as an organisation, has today reaffirmed our standing as its solicitors and legal representatives. That professional relationship is founded upon a continuing mandate and cannot be retrospectively altered, invalidated, or otherwise dictated by its former leaders.
It is important to state, at this juncture, that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act is clear as to the manner in which any communication purportedly emanating from a convict or an inmate may be duly authenticated or validated. Any communication purportedly emanating from an inmate, whether a convicted prisoner or a person awaiting trial, must bear the imprimatur and appropriate authentication of the officer in charge of the relevant correctional centre. This requirement is intended to ensure the authenticity, integrity, and proper verification of such communication.
This clarification is particularly important and should serve as a cautionary reminder to practitioners who are often quick to rush to report what are clearly unauthorised communications purportedly emanating from inmates, without first appreciating or verifying the applicable legal and administrative procedures governing such communications.
Let the facts, therefore, speak for themselves. Let the records speak for themselves. And let those who are genuinely interested in the truth consult the records rather than manufacture narratives for purposes best known to them.
We continue moving forward," Ejiofor stated.
