Defence chief seeks extradition of Simon Ekpa

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has expressed optimism that Finland will extradite Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to Nigeria to face justice. This follows Ekpa’s arrest in Finland on Thursday.
General Musa conveyed his satisfaction with the arrest, emphasising its potential as a significant step towards bringing Ekpa to justice for his alleged role in orchestrating violence in Nigeria’s South-East region.OME
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November 21, 2024

Defence chief seeks extradition of Simon Ekpa

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has expressed optimism that Finland will extradite Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to Nigeria to face justice. This follows Ekpa’s arrest in Finland on Thursday.

General Musa conveyed his satisfaction with the arrest, emphasising its potential as a significant step towards bringing Ekpa to justice for his alleged role in orchestrating violence in Nigeria’s South-East region.

In a statement issued on his behalf by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Musa said: “The 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.”

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, further commented that the Defence Chief had consistently called for Ekpa’s arrest, citing his “deep involvement in fuelling terrorism in South-East Nigeria.”

Background:

Ekpa is accused of coordinating violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to further his agenda.

Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who leads the investigation, revealed, “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”

The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation disclosed that Ekpa, alongside the other suspects, two of whom reside in Helsinki, faces charges of financing terrorism.

This is not the first time Ekpa has encountered Finnish authorities. In 2023, he was briefly detained on allegations of fundraising fraud.

Ekpa has also gained notoriety for his separatist rhetoric, particularly his calls to disrupt Nigerian elections.In 2023, he declared in a widely circulated social media video, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”

Finnish police stated that international cooperation has been crucial to the ongoing investigation, with hearings for the suspects scheduled for Thursday.

Source :Vanguard