The Indigenous People of Biafra has disclosed details of a ₦10m payment allegedly made to lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, as part of legal expenses related to the terrorism trial of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The group said the payment contradicts Ejiofor’s repeated claim that he represented Kanu on a pro bono basis.
IPOB made the disclosure in a statement issued on Friday by the Head of its Finance Directorate, Madam Nnennaya Anya, who released what she described as transaction details to support the claim.
According to Anya, the payment of ₦10m was transferred on August 13, 2021, to an account linked to Ejiofor through his office manager, identified as Chinwe Umeche.
She said the transaction was made through the United Bank for Africa and was authorised by Kanu as part of operational support for legal services.
The statement, titled “Additional confirmation of financial transaction – payment of ₦10,000,000.00 to Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor via Office Manager,” said the disclosure was aimed at ensuring transparency in the handling of IPOB’s finances.
Anya said, “Attached transaction records (bank confirmation dated 13 August 2021) clearly show a transfer of Ten Million Naira (₦10,000,000.00) effected on that date.
“The funds were remitted to the designated account linked to Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor through his office manager, Miss Chinwe Umeche, at United Bank for Africa.”
She explained that the payment formed part of the legal support expenses approved by Kanu.
“This payment forms part of legitimate operational support processed under direct authorisation of our leader, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in line with established directives,” the statement added.
Anya also disclosed that further documentation regarding another payment would be released next week to clarify issues surrounding the legal fees.
The IPOB finance chief had earlier stated on Thursday that Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, and Ejiofor were paid a total of $100,000 to represent Kanu during the trial.
According to her, the amount was paid in two instalments into account numbers provided by Ozekhome.However, Ejiofor had insisted that he did not receive professional fees for representing the separatist leader.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Thursday, the lawyer maintained that he handled Kanu’s defence without charging legal fees.
“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 Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team should produce such verifiable evidence and make it public,” Ejiofor said.
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