The Finnish government has assured Nigeria that the legal proceedings involving Simon Ekpa, a prominent figure in the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will be concluded soon. This assurance was given by Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
Simon Ekpa, who resides in Finland, leads a faction of IPOB known as Autopilot. This group has been actively pushing for the creation of an independent state of Biafra, which would encompass Nigeria’s South East and parts of the South-South regions. Ekpa is also alleged to have played a significant role in instigating violence in Nigeria, particularly through the enforcement of a controversial sit-at-home order and other attacks targeting security personnel.
On Tuesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, engaged in high-level discussions with the Foreign Ministers of Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, as well as representatives from Norway and Denmark. The delegation included Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström, Finland’s Elina Valtonen, Iceland’s 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.
Following the discussions, Ambassador Tuggar confirmed that the issue of Simon Ekpa was a central topic in his meeting with Valtonen. “It was a priority. There is no way Nigeria would engage with Finland without raising the issue of Simon Ekpa vociferously,” Tuggar stated.
Valtonen emphasized that the case is being handled through Finland’s judicial system, which strictly adheres to the rule of law. She noted that both Nigeria and Finland are collaborating on the matter, and she expressed hope that it would be resolved soon. Valtonen also highlighted that both governments view the case as a judicial matter rather than a political one, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the law as the proceedings continue.
This visit by the five Nordic ministers marks a significant diplomatic engagement, being the first of its kind outside of Europe.
