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NEWS

Simon Ekpa to spend Christmas behind bars despite followers’ declaration of Biafran Independence

November 30, 2024 • 3 min read

November 30, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa will spend Christmas in detention despite his followers declaring the United States of Biafra in Finland.

Ekpa was arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities and will remain in custody as the country’s legal system does not permit bail.

According to Punch, a Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, disclosed this information via email. Laaksonen stated, “Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure. Our procedure is based on, depending on the case, remand or travel ban as coercive measures for limiting freedom of movement for persons suspected of offences to which such measures are applicable”.

Ekpa’s followers, however, declared the United States of Biafra at a conference held in Lahti, Finland, on Friday.

The event was tagged “Biafra Mass Exodus 2024” and was attended by a significant number of Igbo people in diaspora.

The Finnish Government had announced the arrest of Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing. Ekpa, described as the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, allegedly used social media to promote violence in Nigeria’s South-East region, targeting civilians and authorities.

According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest in a statement, noting that other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.

Ekpa is scheduled to face charges in May 2025, according to Finnish authorities.

The declaration of Biafra’s independence was initially slated by Ekpa for December 2 but faced some setbacks following Ekpa’s arrest and prosecution by the Finnish Government.

Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, the Chief of Staff of the United States of Biafra, wrote on her verified X handle, “@ngoziora,” that Biafrans had declared an independent state and would now use their own currency (Biafra coins) and time (Biafra time), notifying the Nigerian government and the international community.

Orabueze stated, “Breaking: It is done. Biafrans in Finland for the declaration of the independent United States of Biafra. Power belongs to the people.”

She later added, “Biafra has been re-declared today, 29th of November 2024, by Ngozi Orabueze, the Chief of Staff, United States of Biafra. Congratulations to all Biafrans all over the world”.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from the event, with its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stating, “IPOB has no involvement in any conference. Those people (Ekpa’s faction) are criminals supporting illegal activities to destroy our land. There is no such thing as a declaration of Biafra from our side”.

The Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has also reacted to the development, with its spokesperson, Sunday Edeson, stating that if IPOB succeeded in the realization of Biafra through its declaration, MASSOB would accept and rejoice with them.

Edeson added, “Everyone has the right to declare. They declared their freedom in Finland, but we know that we’re still under Nigerian leadership.

“We support them. Declaring independence in Finland doesn’t mean we’re free from the Nigerian government. We still use Nigerian currency, and security agencies are still from Nigeria. So, we’re still under Nigeria’s control”.