PeakNews Online
The Finnish government has reassured Nigeria that the legal proceedings involving Simon Ekpa, a controversial figure associated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will be resolved soon.
This assurance was given by Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, during a press briefing held on Tuesday in Abuja. Ekpa, who resides in Finland, leads a faction of IPOB known as Autopilot, which has been advocating for the creation of an independent state of Biafra, encompassing Nigeria’s South East and parts of the South-South regions. He has been accused of inciting violence in Nigeria, particularly through the enforcement of a controversial sit-at-home order and orchestrating attacks targeting security personnel.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, met with his counterparts from five Nordic countries on Tuesday, where the Ekpa issue was a prominent topic of discussion. The delegation included Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström; Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen; Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir; Norway’s State Secretary for International Development, Bjørg Sandkjær; and Denmark’s Under Secretary for Foreign Policy, Eva Marie Frida Barløse.
Speaking after the meeting, Tuggar emphasized the importance of the discussions regarding Simon Ekpa. “It was a priority. There is no way Nigeria would engage with Finland without raising the issue of Simon Ekpa vociferously,” he said.
Valtonen reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to working with Nigeria on the matter.
She emphasised that the case was being handled through Finland’s judicial system, which operates strictly by the rule of law.
“If you are referring to a specific person operating in Finland in a less than constructive manner, we have discussed this with the Nigerian authorities.
“Both our judicial systems are collaborating on this matter, and we hope it will soon be resolved.
“Both governments have stressed that the case is not a political issue but rather a judicial one, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the law as the proceedings unfold,” Valtonen stated.
The visit of the five Nordic ministers was the first of its kind outside of Europe.
The Nigerian government has consistently expressed concerns over Ekpa’s activities, which have exacerbated tensions in the South East and South-South regions of the country. The promise of a swift legal resolution from the Finnish government is seen as a significant development in addressing these concerns.
