Former lawyer to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and lead counsel to the group, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has dismissed claims that he received payment for representing Kanu.
Ejiofor insisted that his legal services were rendered entirely on a pro bono basis, describing the allegation as of collecting $19,000 for his role in Kanu’s defence as mischievous and misleading.
He explained that the money was mistakenly credited to his account and immediately transferred to the intended recipient based on Kanu’s direct instruction.
In a statement issued on Sunday titled “Important Clarification to Discerning Minds,” Ejiofor said he decided to address the controversy to set the record straight and prevent the spread of misinformation.
According to him, shortly after the money was credited to his account, Kanu contacted him to explain that the payment had been made in error and directed him to transfer it to another account designated by him.
“Consequently, and strictly in compliance with his express instruction, the funds were returned on the very same day they were credited to my account,” Ejiofor said.
“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.”
The IPOB lead counsel added that the instruction authorizing the transfer came directly from Kanu through a formal communication which he still has in his possession.
Documentary evidence on Monday
Ejiofor further assured that he would publicly release documentary evidence on Monday to clarify the transaction.
“For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of complete transparency, I shall publish both the transaction receipt evidencing the return of the funds and the account details of the proxy to whom the money was transferred,” he said.
The clarification followed claims made by a woman identified as Madam Nnennaya Anya, who said she is the Head of the Directorate of Finance of IPOB.
Anya had alleged that Ejiofor received $19,000 as part of payments made for Kanu’s legal defence.
In a statement circulated online and reported by the Daily Post platform, she said the payment was made on August 9, 2021, shortly after Kanu’s controversial arrest and extradition from Kenya to Nigeria.
According to her, the transfer was made on Kanu’s instruction for what she described as “humanitarian and advocacy purposes” related to his legal representation.
She claimed the money was wired from an IPOB account at Chase Bank in the United States to Ejiofor’s USD domiciliary account at Fidelity Bank Plc in Lagos under the name Ben I. Ejiofor & Company.
The statement also alleged that a transaction reference indicated the payment was for “Humanitarian and Advocacy Payment.”
Anya further claimed that documentation including bank statements and wire transfer details served as proof that the transaction took place.
Her statement was part of a series of disclosures in which she alleged that a total of $100,000 was paid to Ejiofor and senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) while they served as Kanu’s legal representatives.
She also alleged that ₦10 million was paid to Ejiofor through an “office manager.”
However, Ejiofor has repeatedly denied receiving any form of payment for his role in Kanu’s defence.
Voluntary legal services
He insisted that his legal services were offered voluntarily and that the $19,000 in question was never retained by him.
According to him, the payment controversy is being driven by individuals who are attempting to distort facts for ulterior motives.
He also accused some actors within the Biafra agitation of spreading insinuations in order to discredit him.
While declining to mention specific names, he alleged that certain individuals have been enriching themselves through the agitation while making unfounded allegations against others.
Ejiofor maintained that once the funds were mistakenly credited to his account, he acted immediately in line with Kanu’s instructions to transfer them to the person for whom they were originally intended.
He added that the communication authorising the transfer remains available and would be made public together with evidence of the transaction.
The lawyer reiterated that at no point did he demand or receive professional fees for representing the detained IPOB leader in court.
“I never charged or received payment for representing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he insisted.
Ejiofor said the documents he intends to release will provide full clarification and allow members of the public to assess the facts independently.
The development has sparked renewed debate within pro-Biafra circles over transparency and accountability in the management of funds related to Kanu’s legal defence.
