IPOB Releases Details Of $19,000 Payment To Kanu’s Ex-lawyer Ejiofor

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday released additional details of payments allegedly made to Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a former counsel to its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The pro-Biafra group dismissed Ejiofor’s claim that he did not receive payment for representing Kanu during his trial.

IPOB, through its head of directorate of finance, Nnennaya Anya, had earlier disclosed on Thursday that $100,000 was paid to senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome and Ejiofor while they served as Kanu’s lawyers.

On Friday, Anya also released details of a N10 million payment allegedly made to Ejiofor through an “Office Manager.”

In a fresh statement issued on Saturday and titled: “Further clarification on financial transaction: Confirmation of $19,000.00 USD payment to Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor for humanitarian and advocacy purposes,” Anya said the payment was made following Kanu’s arrest and rendition to Nigeria.

According to her, the transaction was carried out on August 9, 2021, shortly after Kanu was returned to Nigeria from Kenya.

She stated that Kanu had instructed her to transfer $19,000 to Ejiofor for humanitarian and advocacy purposes related to his legal representation.

“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 statement said.

Anya added that the transaction reference included the description “Humanitarian and Advocacy Payment,” with the purpose listed as “Business.”

She said a bank statement from Chase Bank showing the transfer details, including the $19,000 payment and a $50 wire fee, was attached as proof.

The IPOB finance head explained that the disclosure was made in the public interest to counter claims that no payments were made in connection with Kanu’s legal defence.

However, Ejiofor has maintained that his legal services to Kanu were offered pro bono, insisting that he neither requested nor received payment for representing the IPOB leader.