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By Seyi Babalola
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has reaffirmed confidence in the legal team representing the movement and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
This is contained in an internal memo issued by Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, dated Wednesday, August 13 and obtained by Daily Sun.
According to Powerful, in strict compliance with IPOB’s internal protocol and governance framework, only Kanu has the constitutional and organisational authority to appoint or dismiss any official or appointee of IPOB, including legal representatives.
“This memorandum is issued to provide clarity on the established system for appointing lawyers and counsels to represent our leader, ONYENDU Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and by extension, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“The aim is to reaffirm the protocols, conventions, and byelaws guiding such appointments to prevent further public or internal confusion,” the memo reads in part.
“In his absence or incapacity, such powers may be exercised by individuals he has personally nominated for that purpose.
“However, as long as he remains reachable—regardless of his current detention status—only he can confirm or deny the appointment of any individual,” he stated.
Powerful identified the individuals and organisations Kanu expressly appointed as legal Representatives for himself and IPOB as Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, Lead Counsel (Nigeria); Prof. PLO Lumumba, Lead Counsel (Kenya); Bruce Fein, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General, Lead Counsel (USA); Bindman Group, Lead Counsel (United Kingdom).
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Other recognised IPOB lawyers in active and support roles include Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor (Principal Counsel, IPOB); Barr. Nnaemeka Ejiofor, Barr. Aloy Ejimakor, Barr. Maxwell Opara, Barr. Agazie, Barr. Jude Ugwuanyi, Barr. Ikenna Nwangwu and Barr. Mandela Umegborogu.
Powerful stated, “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu personally appointed all above attorneys, including Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor as IPOB’s Principal Counsel.
“This appointment remains in force as it has not been revoked or altered by the Leader.
“Accordingly, Barr. Ejiofor continues to handle IPOB’s legal cases until Mazi Nnamdi Kanu himself publicly directs otherwise.”
The IPOB spokesman added, “All lawyers who have represented Mazi Nnamdi Kanu—whether active in current proceedings or debriefed from past engagements—have been personally appointed by him.
“As all legal matters involving Mazi Nnamdi Kanu inevitably implicate IPOB, every counsel representing him is, by default, an IPOB lawyer.
“This principle extends equally to litigation counsels and those serving as researchers, advisers, or jurisdiction-specific representatives.”
He noted that any clarification or public statement on this matter should reflect the above positions to ensure unity, discipline, and operational consistency.
