Finnish Government Announces Actions on Simon Ekpa’s Case

The Finnish government confirms it is taking steps regarding Simon Ekpa’s case, signaling potential legal or diplomatic actions.

Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafran agitator associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria’s South-East, is facing action from the Finnish Government due to his secessionist activities.

During a press conference held with her Nordic counterparts on Tuesday, Elina Valtonen – Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs – revealed in Nigeria’s capital of Abuja.

She stated that Ekpa’s actions, which were alerted to the Finnish authorities by Nigeria, are presently being examined in the court of law in Finland.

Despite the suspension of sit-at-home directives by mainstream leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ekpa, who claims to be the Prime Minister of Biafra, has remained a firm advocate for such measures in South Eastern states.

Days before the presidential and national assembly elections scheduled in February 2023, Ekpa was apprehended in Finland where he currently resides. He had issued threats that insinuated the obstruction of these polls from taking place within South-Eastern regions.

According to the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, Ekpa was apprehended by law enforcement officers at his dwelling situated in the Lahti region of the country.

The separatist persistently announced that there would be no elections in the Southeast region of the nation and demanded a weekly sit-at-home to protest against Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, who is leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

Ekpa, who was supposedly scheduled for an interview before being detained, was disavowed by IPOB.

After his release, he has been highly involved on social media and using it as a platform to share pro-Biafran messages.

Valtonen, alongside representatives from Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Denmark formed a delegation that journeyed to Nigeria with the aim of strengthening trade relationships between their respective countries.

One of the areas receiving special focus, according to the ministers, is countering violent extremists in West Africa and achieving sustainable development goals.

Continuing their two-day trip, the Nordic ministers are focused on solidifying relationships with African nations and currently in Ghana.