Christopher Chidera, a lawyer on Nnamdi Kanu’s defense team, has provided details regarding the dismissal of Ifeanyi Ejiofor as the IPOB leader’s counsel. The decision followed Kanu’s choice to represent himself during his terrorism trial before Justice James Omotosho at the Abuja Federal High Court.
Chidera, who serves as both a legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, argued that professional negligence significantly contributed to Kanu’s prolonged detention. He specifically pointed to the legal team’s failure to challenge the Federal Government’s irregular civil stay of execution. According to Chidera, after the Court of Appeal ordered Kanu’s discharge in October 2022, the court became functus officio, meaning it lacked further jurisdiction to hear the government’s application.
The defense team failed to file a Preliminary Objection against this move, which allowed the government to continue proceedings despite the appellate court’s acquittal. This error eventually led to a conviction on charges that had already been dismissed. Chidera stated that this tactical failure was the core reason for Ejiofor’s removal.
Furthermore, Chidera criticized Ejiofor for allegedly launching a smear campaign against Kanu’s family members after they demanded accountability for the legal team’s shortcomings. He accused the former counsel of spreading falsehoods and damaging relationships within the organization instead of addressing the procedural errors that impacted Kanu’s case. Chidera concluded that the legal community and the public deserve transparency, asserting that personal vendettas should not overshadow the fundamental jurisdictional flaws that remain at the heart of the ongoing appeal.
