In a surprising turn of events, the family of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has decided to terminate the services of his lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Ifeanyi Ejiofor. The decision, which comes amidst claims of medical negligence, was communicated in a statement released by Kanu’s younger brother, Kanunta Kanu, and shared on his Twitter handle on Thursday.
The statement, titled “Notice of Dismissal,” obtained exclusively by Vanguard, outlined the reasons behind the family’s decision. It stated, “I hereby formally notify @MikeozekhomeSAN and @lfeanyiEjiofor that their services are no longer required in #MaziNnamdiKanu case pending before the Supreme Court of Nigeria and all concerning him.”
One of the primary concerns raised by the family was Mike Ozekhome’s alleged refusal to grant Kanu’s personal physicians access to him for urgent ear surgery. According to the statement, “After Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s court appearance on May 11, 2023, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has refused to visit his client at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja, despite receiving several messages from #MNK requesting to see him.”
Furthermore, the family accused the legal team of obstructing medical professionals who were scheduled to examine Kanu on June 5. The family claims that both Ozekhome and Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor were duly informed on June 2, and Kanu had specifically instructed them to inform his family to make the necessary arrangements. The family cited these incidents, among others, as the compelling reasons for terminating the services of both legal counsels.
In the statement, the Kanu family expressed appreciation for the time and efforts invested by Ozekhome and Ejiofor thus far and requested them to promptly hand over all legal documents pertaining to the case.
The dismissal of Kanu’s lead counsel raises questions about the future direction of his legal representation and the impact it might have on his ongoing case before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. As the leader of IPOB, Kanu has been detained for several months, facing charges of treasonable felony and other offenses. The sudden change in legal representation could introduce a significant shift in the dynamics of the case, and it remains to be seen how it will unfold in the coming days.
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