Dissatisfied with performance of his legal team, Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is set to sack one of his lead counsels.
Kanu is said to be particularly unhappy with the handling of his trials and recent narrative about the group in the media.
Blueprint had earlier reported that the detained IPOB leader was contemplating an overhaul of his legal team over worries that some of his lawyers may be working at “cross purposes.”
Our correspondent gathered that leader of the separatist group made his intension to sack the senior lawyer known to two of his close allies, who are also part of his legal team, during an interface earlier in the week.
A source close to the group, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the IPOB leader accused the said counsel of not showing seriousness with his case.
According to the source, “Kanu said the counsel was not serious with his case and was not effectively handling the case knowing that his client was in detention.
“He actually wanted the counsel to return the case file; however, his allies advised against a hasty decision and suggested that he needed to speak with the top lawyer, who was billed to meet with him later in the week, before taking such a huge step.”
Similarly, a senior security personal, who is familiar with the development, told our correspondent that the secessionist agitator was also worried about recent media reports about the group’s finances.
There have been reports in a section of the media that key members of IPOB were fighting dirty over signatory to its accounts domiciled abroad, just as access to the group’s accounts in one of the European countries had been restricted over the contention.
“Kanu is worried that their quarrel was diverting attention from his case and if the narrative was allowed to thrive it could lead to a loss of faith in him and their cause, especially with the perceived decline in the group’s popularity in the South-east and among his supporters.
“He has information that the stay-at-home order by the group has not really been effective like before as people are seen going about their businesses without molestation,” the source noted.
Speaking further, the source said, “In a bid to check the decline and advance their cause the IPOB leader has issued new directives on handling of the finances, which he said has to be left for one of the female members of his family; just as he ordered that the group should not carry out media attacks no matter the provocation.
“He also directed that Simeon Ekpa should use his broadcasts to raise hope and amplify the cause as well as harp on his health condition in custody rather than attacking government and individuals.”
