IPOB: Biafra self acclaimed prime minister, Simon Ekpa will be extradited to Nigeria to face charges – Defence minister

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has announced that the self acclaimed prime minister of the Biafra nation Simon Ekpa, will be extradited to Nigeria to face charges leveled against him.

The Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, in a press statement made available to journalists in Abuja stated that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with Ekpa’s trial.

Gusau wrote: “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.”

FUSION CHRONICLES NIGERIA NEWSPAPER had earlier reported that the Finland district court in Lahti had ordered the remand of Simon Ekpa on probable cause for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria.

Ekpa was accused of using social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda linked to IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria. The court alleged that the offences dated back to August 23, 2021.

Finland authorities have also investigated Ekpa in the past for alleged financial crimes, including the collection of funds through questionable means. The head of the investigation, crime commissioner Otto Hiltunen of the Central Criminal Police, stated

, “The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland with means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”