The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a fresh press statement providing further details on a $19,000 payment made to Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a former lead counsel to its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The disclosure, released on March 8, 2026, from Cologne, Germany, comes amid ongoing public controversy surrounding financial transactions linked to Kanu's legal defense.
In the statement signed by Madam Nnennaya Anya, Head of the Directorate of Finance for IPOB worldwide, the group confirmed that the sum of $19,000.00 USD was transferred on August 9, 2021, directly on the instructions of Nnamdi Kanu. This occurred shortly after Kanu's controversial arrest in Kenya, his alleged torture, and extraordinary rendition back to Nigeria by security operatives.
According to Anya, Kanu personally directed her to execute the wire transfer to support "humanitarian and advocacy purposes" tied to his legal representation and associated efforts. The funds were sent from an IPOB account at Chase Bank in the United States to Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor's USD domiciliary account at Fidelity Bank Plc in Lagos, Nigeria. The beneficiary was listed as "Ben I. Ejiofor & Company," with the transaction reference noting "Humanitarian And Advocacy Pymt" and the purpose described as "Business." A wire fee of $50.00 USD was also incurred.
Anya attached what the statement described as an authentic Chase Bank statement as proof, including the transaction date, amount, beneficiary information, and related details. She emphasized that this revelation serves to counter any denials or conflicting claims about payments for professional services rendered in connection with Kanu's case.
The latest clarification forms part of a series of recent disclosures by IPOB's finance directorate aimed at promoting transparency. Earlier statements from Anya, issued earlier in March 2026, had already detailed other payments: a total of $100,000 USD (in two installments of $80,000 and $20,000) to senior lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Ejiofor for legal representation, as well as a separate ₦10 million transfer to an account linked to Ejiofor via his office manager on August 13, 2021.
These revelations follow assertions by Barrister Ejiofor that his services to Kanu were provided pro bono (free of charge), with no professional fees received. Ejiofor has publicly challenged anyone with evidence of payments to produce it, describing some recent allegations as unfounded or bizarre. IPOB's statements appear to directly address and refute such positions, insisting that all disbursements were authorized by Kanu himself and documented for accountability.
The group stressed its unwavering commitment to laying all facts bare, combating misinformation, and preserving the integrity of the movement. Anya urged supporters, stakeholders, and the public to disregard contrary narratives and rely on the presented documented evidence.
This development highlights persistent tensions within pro-Biafra circles regarding the management of funds raised for Kanu's defense and related advocacy. Kanu, who founded IPOB and has been in detention since his 2021 rendition, faces multiple charges, including terrorism-related offenses, in Nigerian courts. His legal team has undergone changes over the years, with periods of self-representation amid disputes.
IPOB, proscribed as a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government (a designation it contests), continues to operate globally, with its finance operations often coordinated from diaspora locations like Germany. The repeated financial disclosures in early March 2026 reflect efforts to maintain donor confidence and counter internal or external criticisms amid Kanu's prolonged incarceration.
As the situation evolves, observers note that these public statements could influence perceptions of accountability within the separatist movement and potentially impact ongoing legal or advocacy strategies for Kanu's release. The matter remains a point of significant interest in Nigeria's southeast region and among the Igbo diaspora.
