The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has rejected attempts to associate it with the recent conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland.
The group stressed that Ekpa has no ties to IPOB and must bear his own burden.
In a statement signed by spokesperson Emma Powerful, IPOB described efforts to connect Ekpa’s activities to the movement as “a brazen fraud against truth and justice.”
The group accused the federal government of using Ekpa’s case as a smear campaign aimed at discrediting its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB maintained that both it and Ekpa testified under oath in a Finnish court, where it was judicially confirmed that he has no ties to the movement.
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“Ekpa himself admitted he disowned IPOB, described himself as a content creator, and even boasted he would destroy IPOB,” the statement read.
The group further accused Ekpa of creating parallel structures, including the so-called Biafra Government in Exile, Biafra Liberation Army, and Biafra Defence Force, all of which IPOB has repudiated.
Government Accused of Diversionary Tactics
IPOB alleged that the Nigerian government is deliberately exploiting Ekpa’s conviction to influence judicial proceedings in Kanu’s trial.
It argued that the delay in ruling on Kanu’s no-case submission, now adjourned until October 10, 2025, amounts to “judicial hostage-taking”.
“The Nigerian state is buying time to inject irrelevant narratives like Ekpa’s conviction in a bid to corrupt judicial reasoning,” IPOB claimed.
The group urged the European Union, Finland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations to intervene.
“The Finnish court exonerated IPOB of any link to Simon Ekpa. We demand clarity to stop this malicious misuse,” IPOB stated.
It also warned that silence in the face of what it called a “weaponised judiciary” would amount to complicity.
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Reaffirming its stand, IPOB declared:
“Simon Ekpa’s conviction is his burden and his alone. IPOB will never carry it. We remain a peaceful movement, committed to lawful self-determination.”
The group concluded that Nigeria risks further reputational damage if it continues to misrepresent facts, warning:
“Nigeria stands today at the bar of world opinion. Persist in this fraud, and you confirm yourselves a rogue state where the rule of law is dead.”
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
