The lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has reacted to the claim that his services and that of his colleague, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, are no longer needed in Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
This was followed by a report published by an online platform (News Flash) that the family of the detained leader of IPOB allegedly terminated their appointment.
In the report, Kanu’s younger brother, Kingsley, popularly called Kanunta Kanu, highlighted the reasons he terminated their appointments via his Twitter handle, saying, “I hereby formally notify Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and lfeanyi Ejiofor that their services are no longer required in the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu case pending before the Supreme Court of Nigeria and all matters concerning him.
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“After Kanu’s case on May 11, 2023, Ozekhome has refused to see his client in DSS headquarters, Abuja, even after several messages from Kanu to see him.
“Secondly, for stopping the medical doctors who were to examine Kanu on June 5 even when he and Ejiofor were duly informed on June 2, and Kanu told them to inform his family to arrange that. For these obvious reasons and many more, Ozekhome and Barr. Ejiofor are hereby sacked as Kanu’s counsel.
“The Kanu family does appreciate your time and efforts so far; please hand over the legal documents asap.”
Reacting to Kingsley’s claim, Ejiofor countered in a press statement that he and some other lawyers were with Kanu at the DSS Headquarters to brief him on matters relating to his cases in court, including his matter coming up on June 20 before the Federal High Court, Abuja, adding that matters of concern relating to his deteriorating medical condition occupied the centre stage.
He added, “The medical doctors that attempted to see Onyendu last week Tuesday, June 6 2023, were not there to participate in any surgical procedure but to first meet and interface with Onyendu.
“They were expected to consult with our lead counsel- Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, before proceeding with other administrative engagements, as we agreed during our meeting of June 3 held with the DSS in the presence of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
He added, “May I use this medium to address an obviously defamatory and very disappointing publication which was brought to my attention upon the conclusion of the routine visit, which unarguably is serving the mischief which the author intended it to serve.
“Let it be on record that neither Kingsley Kanu nor Emmanuel Kanu had at any point in time briefed me to handle Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case or even IPOB’s matters.
“My letters of engagement issued to me in 2015 by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB are still with me to date.
“Neither Kingsley Kanu nor anybody acting on his behalf engaged Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, to represent Onyendu in any matters affecting him. Biafrans and members of the public are aware that Onyendu specifically requested to see Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, upon his abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria.
“During that meeting, which details are already in the public domain, Onyendu personally briefed Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN to head his legal team.
“To date, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has done creditably and overwhelmingly well in deploying his advocacy skills in representing Onyendu in all courts in Nigeria.
The senior lawyer, therefore, chided both Emmanuel and Kingsley Kanu to stop plotting evil strategies, stressing that nothing whatsoever, will stop or deter Onyendu’s legal team, who are tirelessly working day and night to ensure that Onyendu is released unconditionally.
He further assured IPOB members to rest assured about the situation of Kanu, adding that no evil plan will befall him.
(Punch)
