By CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ABAKALIKI
Following the claim by a lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor that his services to Nnamdi Kanu during his terrorism trial were rendered free of charge, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has provided details of a N10 million payment to him.
IPOB had, through the Head, Finance Directorate, Madam Nnennaya Anya, disclosed that Mike Ozekhome and Ejiofor were paid $100,000 to represent Kanu in the trial.
According to Anya, the $100,000 was paid in two instalments into account numbers provided by Ozekhome.
In a statement yesterday, IPOB, through Anya, provided details of a N10 million payment to Ejiofor.
The statement is titled ‘Additional confirmation of financial transaction – payment of ₦10,000,000.00 to Ifeanyi Ejiofor via Office Manager`.
The statement reads, “In furtherance of our commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of IPOB`s finances, particularly regarding disbursements for legal and related support services, I wish to provide this update.
“Attached transaction records (bank confirmation dated August 13, 2021) clearly shows a transfer of ₦10 million effected on August 13, 2021. The funds were remitted to the designated account linked to Ejiofor through his office manager, Miss Chinwe Umeche (also referred to as Chinwe/Endu Cordelia in some records), at United Bank for Africa, UBA.
“This payment forms part of legitimate operational support processed under direct authorisation of our leader, Onyendu Kanu in line with established directives. For verification or any clarification, Umeche can be contacted directly as the relevant officer who facilitated receipt on behalf of the chambers.
“Additional proof and supporting documentation of another payment will be made public next week to further address any lingering questions or misinformation.
“This briefing is issued strictly for the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of upholding IPOB’s principles of openness.”
Ejiofor has been insisting that he did not collect money to represent Kanu in the terrorism trial.
In a statement he published on his Facebook page on Thursday, the lawyer said, “I have stated publicly, emphatically, unequivocally and repeatedly that any person who possesses evidence of the payment of my professional fees throughout the years I led Kanu’s legal team should produce such verifiable evidence and make it public.”
