The Nigerian Government has announced that it is closely monitoring legal proceedings involving Simon Ekpa, the self styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, following his arrest in Finland on suspicion of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
Media Talk Africa reports that Ekpa was taken into custody by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
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.
In a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Nigerian Government expressed its commitment to tracking the progress of Ekpa’s legal case.
The government 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.
Previously, Nigerian authorities had applied diplomatic pressure on Finland to take action against Ekpa’s activities, which have been associated with violent incidents in Nigeria’s South-East region.
According to the statement, 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.
