Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and lead counsel for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has expressed concern about fraudsters using his name, the IPOB leader’s name, and IPOB led by Kanu to solicit funds for the prosecution of cases involving the agitator for the Biafra nation, Nnamdi Kanu.
Ozekhome stated that he has never directed anyone or any group to solicit funds for the execution of cases for his client in his name, the name of his Chambers, the IPOB leader’s name, or the IPOB lead by Kanu’s name.
The senior lawyer’s reaction was sparked by news that was widely reported on social media that some people were traveling the country in search of financial support from individuals and businesses for lawyers who were handling cases for the Biafran leader who was detained.
Ozekhome released the following statement to the media in Abuja:
To Whoever May Be Concerned, CAVEAT EMPTOR: DISCLAIMER TO THE PUBLIC BY CHIEF MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN!
Use of Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome’s name without permission, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIArb., Ph. D, LL.D., D.Litt, AND HIS CHAMBERS BY UNDERSTANDING ELEMENTS IN SOLICITING FOR FUNDS SupposedLY FOR THE PROSECUTION OF NNAMDI KANU’S CASES.
My attention has recently been drawn to the illegal and improper use of my and my chambers’ names on social media and other platforms by dishonest members of society and criminal elements to solicit funds allegedly for the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu’s cases that we are currently handling.
As the lead counsel for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader and founder of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and on behalf of my chambers, I have never and will never authorize anyone to solicit funds for me, on my behalf, or on behalf of my chambers, for the purpose of prosecuting the cases of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, or for any other purpose whatsoever. This is for the benefit of the general public.
Anyone who gives money allegedly for the prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu’s cases on my behalf, in my name, or in chambers’ name does so at their own risk and peril. In my capacity as Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s lead attorney, neither I nor anyone else on my team will ever use social media or any other channel to solicit funds for the prosecution of Namdi Kanu’s cases, regardless of the guise, artifice, design, or circumstances. This includes donors, corporate bodies, whether local or international. Anyone doing this should be treated as a criminal and a fraudster.
When caught, as they will undoubtedly be if they continue, such individuals will face the full force of the law. In a similar vein, anyone who is caught giving money to such con artists and criminals allegedly on our behalf will be identified and subject to the full force of the law. Sooner than later!
As neither Nnamdi Kanu nor our chambers, as his attorneys, will ever approach members of the public through social media or any other channel for the solicitation of funds for the alleged prosecution of Nnamdi Kanu’s case, the general public is strongly urged and cautioned to refrain from ever giving any money to fraudsters and imposters soliciting for funds in the name of Nnamdi Kanu’s cases. We’ve never done that! We will not do that! We will not do that!
Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIArb, Ph., has instructed the security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone or a group of people who are involved in the solicitation of funds in his name. D, LL.D., D. Litt’s rooms; or, allegedly on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for the prosecution of Kanu’s cases. Such an act is a serious criminal offense with severe repercussions. We are associated with Nnamdi Kanu’s case, not really for monies or any monetary contemplations; but solely to rectify the flagrant and persistent state-sponsored violation of his individual rights; as well as those of his organization, the non-violent IPOB.
We will continue to pursue our mission, focus, and goal of freeing Nnamdi Kanu despite any fictitious blackmail, intimidation, harassment, sophistry, or pretense from sponsored fraudsters, criminal elements, and those who would prefer that Nnamdi Kanu remain in the government gulag indefinitely. And he will be liberated by the power of God. Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIArb, Ph.D., of the Association of Nigerians D.Litt., LL.D.
