Titus Eleweke, South East Editor
AWKA, Anambra – The former lawyer to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and the lead counsel to IPOB, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has stated that it is mischievous for anyone to claim that he was paid to defend Kanu.
Ejiofor explained that the purported $19,000 paid into his account was credited in error and was immediately transferred to the person for whom it was intended, based on the direct instruction of Nnamdi Kanu.
He further stated that on Monday he would publicly disclose full details regarding the $19,000 that was mistakenly paid into his account.
According to him, immediately the money was credited to his account, Nnamdi Kanu contacted him and informed him that the payment had been made in error.
Kanu subsequently instructed him on the account to which the money should be transferred, and he complied immediately.
On Saturday, a woman identified as Madam Nnennaya Anya, who claimed to be the Head of the Directorate of Finance of IPOB, said she paid $19,000 to Ifeanyi Ejiofor for his services to Nnamdi Kanu.
In a publication by the Daily Post online platform, the pro-Biafra organization dismissed Ejiofor’s claim that he did not receive payment for representing Kanu during his trial.
According to Madam Nnennaya Anya, she had earlier disclosed on Thursday that $100,000 was paid to Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Ifeanyi Ejiofor while they served as Kanu’s lawyers.
Anya also released details on Friday of a ₦10 million payment allegedly made to Ejiofor through an “Office Manager.”
Again on Saturday, IPOB, through Anya, issued another statement titled: “Further Clarification on Financial Transaction: Confirmation of $19,000.00 USD Payment to Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor for Humanitarian and Advocacy Purposes.”
The statement read:
“In continuation of our commitment to transparency and accountability regarding financial matters related to the legal defense and advocacy for our Supreme Leader, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I, Madam Nnennaya Anya, in my official capacity as the Head of the Directorate of Finance for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide, wish to provide this additional confirmation of a specific transaction.
“On the 9th of August 2021, shortly after the unlawful kidnap, torture, and extraordinary rendition of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria, he directly instructed me to effect a transfer of Nineteen Thousand United States Dollars ($19,000.00 USD) to Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor. This payment was duly executed as directed, for humanitarian and advocacy purposes in support of his legal representation and related efforts.
“The funds were wired from our account at Chase Bank in the United States directly into Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor’s USD domiciliary account at Fidelity Bank Plc, Lagos, Nigeria, under the beneficiary name ‘Ben I. Ejiofor & Company.’ The transaction reference included details for ‘Humanitarian And Advocacy Pymt’ with the reason stated as ‘Business.’
“Attached herewith is the authentic bank statement from Chase Bank, serving as irrefutable proof of this transfer, including the date, amount, beneficiary details, and the associated wire fee of $50.00 USD.
“This disclosure is made in the public interest to address and refute any assertions or denials regarding the receipt of professional fees or payments for services rendered in connection with Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case. IPOB remains steadfast in ensuring that all facts are laid bare, countering misinformation, and upholding the integrity of our movement.
“We urge all stakeholders, supporters, and the general public to disregard any contrary claims and rely on these documented facts.”
However, Ejiofor has consistently maintained that his legal services to Nnamdi Kanu were rendered on a pro bono basis, stating that he neither requested nor received payment.
Reacting to the claims, Ejiofor issued a statement on Sunday titled “Important Clarification to Discerning Minds.”
In the statement, he said that, for the sake of clarity and in deference to the truth, it had become necessary to place certain facts on record.
According to him, the payment in question was immediately retrieved by Nnamdi Kanu through a formal correspondence addressed to him, in which Kanu insisted that the payment had been made in error and was not for the purpose it was later alleged to represent.
He stated:
“Consequently, and strictly in compliance with his express instruction, the funds were returned on the very same day they were credited to my account. The account details of the proxy designated by him to receive the said sum were promptly provided, and the money was accordingly transferred back without delay.
“Furthermore, the instruction authorising the retrieval of the funds was expressly issued by Nnamdi Kanu through a communication that remains in my possession.
“For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of complete transparency, I shall, on Monday, publish both the transaction receipt evidencing the return of the funds and the account details of the proxy to whom the money was transferred. These documents will speak eloquently for themselves.”
Ejiofor also alleged that those making the insinuations against him are individuals who are corruptly enriching themselves through the Biafra agitation.
He assured the public that he would make available the instruction letter from Nnamdi Kanu directing him to transfer the money to the person for whom it was originally intended.
He reiterated that he never charged or received any payment to represent Nnamdi Kanu in court.
