The Defence Headquarters of Nigeria has confirmed on-going efforts to extradite Simon Ekpa, a prominent member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from Finland to face charges in Nigeria.
This announcement follows Ekpa’s recent legal troubles in Finland, where he has been accused of public incitement and other crimes.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, revealed that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, expressed satisfaction with the developments.
“The Chief of Defence Staff is pleased with his arrest in Finland, and we are optimistic this will pave the way for his extradition to Nigeria, where he will answer for his actions,” Gusau said in a statement.
Simon Ekpa, who styles himself as the “prime minister” of IPOB, has been under scrutiny for his activities promoting separatism in south-eastern Nigeria. His social media campaigns have been linked to incitements of violence, prompting concerns both in Nigeria and internationally.
In Finland, Ekpa’s legal issues include accusations of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, with offences reportedly dating back to August 2021.
He has also faced allegations of financial crimes, with Finnish authorities probing his methods of collecting funds for separatist activities.
Finnish police commissioner Otto Hiltunen commented, “Evidence suggests that his activities, facilitated through social media and other channels, have led to violence against civilians and authorities in south-eastern Nigeria.”
Ekpa was initially arrested in Lahti, Finland, in February 2023 but was released after questioning. Since then, Finnish authorities have continued their investigations into his alleged involvement in illegal activities, including fundraising and incitement.
Apart from his controversial role in Nigeria’s separatist movement, Ekpa is known in Finland as a local politician. He has served as a deputy councillor and was part of the Lahti region’s public transport board under the National Coalition Party.
As international cooperation progresses, both Nigerian and Finnish authorities are working toward ensuring accountability. Observers see this as a significant step in addressing the activities of separatist groups and promoting justice.
Ekpa’s supporters, however, argue that his activism is focused on Biafra’s independence, and they question the charges against him. This extradition process may test the balance between freedom of expression and national security in an international context.
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