The Nigerian Government on Friday confirmed the arrest and trial of Finland – based Simon Ekpa, factional separatist group leader and self styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile.
The Nigerian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Ekpa was arrested in Finland on suspicion of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
The Daily Crucible reports that Ekpa was arrested by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21, 2024 and taken into custody.
The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme decided to keep Ekpa detained on probable cause, citing his alleged role in inciting violence in southeastern Nigeria through the social media.
Disclosing this in a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Nigerian Government stated its commitment to tracking the progress of Ekpa’s legal case.
It emphasized the significance of the proceedings in addressing the influence of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and transnational actors on Nigeria’s national security.
Before now, Nigerian authorities had applied diplomatic pressure on Finland to take action against Ekpa’s activities, which have been linked to the spate of violence in the troubled Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone and crippling of socio-economic activities every Monday for years.
The statement noted that the Nigerian Government will continue to provide further updates on the legal process as the case unfolds, and also ensure that Ekpa’s actions, which have contributed to unrest in Nigeria, are properly addressed under Finnish law.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to confirm the arrest of Mr Simon Njoku Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
“He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
“The Ministry wishes to affirm that the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB, and also neutralising the influence of transnational actors and their impact on our national security.
“The Ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has hailed the Republic of Finland for that arrest of Simon Ekpa, the leader of the dreaded group Autopilots, describing him as a common criminal and terrorist with no regard for the welfare of the Igbo people.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government labeled Ekpa a murderer and fraudster who thrives on the suffering of his people while living ostentatiously abroad.
The state pledged its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged atrocities against the Igbo community to ensure his prosecution and conviction, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster, who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work. He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra,” the government said.
