In a significant development, a prosecuting witness has revealed that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, is set to be extradited from Finland to Nigeria. This move is aimed at bringing Ekpa to trial for his alleged support of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The witness, a staff member of the Department of State Services (DSS) identified only as “AAA”, made this disclosure during a cross-examination by Kanu’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court proceedings, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, also shed light on the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s arrest on October 15, 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos. The witness, who was part of the team that arrested Kanu, stated that Ekpa had already been arrested and was undergoing extradition proceedings for his support of IPOB and for allegedly inciting violence. Notably, the witness confirmed that no weapons or instruments of violence were found in Kanu’s possession at the time of his arrest.
Furthermore, the witness testified that a woman found in Kanu’s hotel room was not considered a suspect, as it was established that she had met the defendant through social media. “The lady was adjudged to be innocent,” the witness stated. The trial of Kanu, who is facing charges relating to terrorism, has been adjourned to May 6, 7, and 8, 2025. The development is likely to have significant implications for the ongoing case and the broader discussions surrounding the IPOB movement. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the extradition of Ekpa will impact the trial and the future of the IPOB leader.
