From CHARLES ONYEKWERE,
ABAKALIKI
Lawyer to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has stated that it was mischievous for anyone to claim that he was paid to defend the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi 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 Kanu’s direct instruction.
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, Kanu contacted him and informed him that the payment was made in error 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 Ejiofor for his services to Kanu.
In a publication by Daily Post, the pro-Biafra organisation dismissed Ejiofor’s claim that he did not receive payment for representing Kanu during his trial.
According to Madam Anya, she had earlier disclosed on Thursday that $100,000 was paid to Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Ejiofor while they served as Kanu’s lawyers.
Anya also released details on Friday of a N10 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 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 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 Kanu through a formal correspondence addressed to him, in which the IPOB leader insisted that the payment had been made in error and was not for the purpose it was later alleged to represent.
“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”, the lawyer said.
Ejiofor also alleged that those making the insinuations against him were individuals corruptly enriching themselves through the Biafra agitation.
He assured the public that he would make available the instruction letter from Kanu directing him to transfer the money to the person for whom it was originally intended.
