The Nigerian Government has spoken on the arrest and trial of Simon Ekpa, the self styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile.
Recall that Ekpa was arrested and remanded in prison on Thursday in Finland on suspicion of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
Reacting, FG said it is closely monitoring legal proceedings.
Ekpa was taken into custody by Finnish authorities on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
The Finnish District Court of Pรคijรคt-Hรคme 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 Ekpaโs 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 Nigeriaโs national security.
Previously, Nigerian authorities had applied diplomatic pressure on Finland to take action against Ekpaโs activities, which have been associated with violent incidents in Nigeriaโs 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 Ekpaโs actions, which have contributed to unrest in Nigeria, are properly addressed under Finnish law.
โThe 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.
โHe was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Pรคijรคt-Hรคme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
โThe 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.
โThe Ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,โ the statement read.
