Kanunta Kanu, younger brother of Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Mike Ozekhome (SAN) received the whooping sum of $80,000 for Kanu’s case.
He disclosed this in a post on his official X handle on Wednesday night.
Kanunta Kanu’s revelation was a direct counter to Mr Ejiofor’s claim that the services he rendered to IPOB while serving as their lead counsel was Pro Bono.
Tori Media reported that Kanu’s family in May 2023 announced the immediate sack of Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Mike Ozekhome.
In a statement titled, ”Notice of Dismissal”, the family apparently informed the duo that their services was not longer needed.
Ozekhome’s alleged refusal to allow Kanu’s personal doctors access to him for the urgent ear surgery was cited by the family as part of reasons for the action.
Meanwhile, Barrister Ejiofor, since he was booted out of Kanu’s legal team, have been under serious scrutiny by the irate supporters of the separatist movement who accused him of sabotage.
In a statement on Monday, Ejiofor while trying to clear his name from any wrong doing said that since 2015 when he took over as Kanu’s lead counsel, he performed his duties diligently and maintained ethical standards.
Also, he said his legal doggedness led to the release of Nnamdi Kanu and other IPOB members in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
According to him, most of these legal fireworks was done on Pro Bono.
He said in the statement, “I have maintained a deliberate silence amidst the unfolding developments in the ongoing hearing on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case. However, due to recent compelling circumstances and for record purposes, I find it necessary to provide some clarifications. It is crucial for Biafrans and Ezigbo UmuChineke to take note of the following points:
“I joined Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team in December, 2015 and eventually took on the role of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lead Counsel and also as the IPOB General/Lead Counsel in January, 2016.
“Since 2015, I have diligently performed my professional duties in defending Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB while upholding ethical standards.