The Federal Government has announced that it is closely monitoring the legal proceedings of Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his arrest in Finland on charges of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
Ekpa was detained on Thursday, November 21, 2024, by Finnish authorities. The District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to keep him in detention, citing probable cause due to his alleged involvement in inciting violence through social media.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the arrest and stressed its commitment to monitoring the legal process. The government emphasized the significance of the case in addressing IPOB’s influence and the activities of transnational actors that pose a threat to Nigeria’s national security.
The Nigerian government had previously exerted diplomatic pressure on Finland to take action against Ekpa, whose activities have been linked to violent incidents in Nigeria’s South-East region.
As the case unfolds, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pledged to provide further updates, ensuring that Ekpa’s actions, which have contributed to unrest in Nigeria, are properly addressed under Finnish law.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms 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 affirms that the arrest of Mr. Ekpa is a significant step in addressing the activities of IPOB and neutralizing the influence of transnational actors that threaten our national security. The Ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide updates as the case progresses,” the statement read.
