The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has issues a disclaimer on a lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, insisting that he has been sacked by the group’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
A statement made available to newsmen by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Thursday, stressed that Ejiofor neither represents Kanu nor the pro-Biafra group.
It would be recalled that Kanu had, in a letter he issued from Sokoto Prison, announced Ejiofor’s sack as his counsel. Kanu equally sacked Ejiofor as IPOB lawyer.
IPOB subsequently accused Ejiofor of failing to provide effective legal representation for Kanu in his terrorism trial.
Issuing a disclaimer on the lawyer, IPOB warned that anyone referring to Ejiofor as its lawyer could face legal consequences.
The statement read, “The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) wishes to inform the general public, the media, and the international community that Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor is no longer, and has not been, the counsel for IPOB or our leader, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“For the avoidance of doubt: Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu debriefed and sacked Mr. Ejiofor for gross incompetence and professional misconduct—specifically, for mishandling our leader’s case and allowing an impermissible civil stay to be used to overturn a criminal discharge. Our leader removed him completely and permanently.
“Since his dismissal, Mr. Ejiofor has hired himself out to enemies of our leader and has been appearing to advocate for interest groups working against the release of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He does not speak for us. He does not represent us. He is an impostor.
“To all media houses: While Mr. Ejiofor may, in his personal capacity as a lawyer, represent individuals wrongly accused, he is not to be referred to as IPOB counsel. Any media house that publishes or refers to Ifeanyi Ejiofor as IPOB counsel will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Let it be known across Biafraland and beyond: the only recognized legal team of IPOB is that which is appointed by our leader and founder, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Anyone else is an impostor and should be disregarded.”
IPOB urged all Biafrans to remain vigilant and reject any person or group that seeks to misrepresent IPOB or undermine the authority of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.