Loyalists of detained Biafra separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, have lamented his continued detention, saying it is politically motivated and a violation of his fundamental human rights.
Led by Deputy Prime Minister of the United States of Biafra, Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, the group accused Finland of being a stooge for Nigeria over the continued detention Ekpa
The Finnish government had in November 2024 announced the arrest of Ekpa, alongside four others, on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
The Finnish police accused Ekpa of allegedly using social media to promote violence in the South-East region, targeting civilians and authorities.
Orabueze, in a statement on Wednesday, said Finland has kept Ekpa, who she described as a freedom fighter, in detention for economic gains.
Her reaction followed a statement by the chief investigator of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, Otto Hiltunen, who said, “Ekpa is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.”
Orabueze faulted the Finnish government, noting that the purported investigation was bereft of depth.
She was unequivocal in her position, noting that Ekpa’s continued detention violates his fundamental human rights.
“Finland, currently acting as a stooge for the Nigerian government and participating in an investigation that ordinarily from the first day is a transnational repression case for economic gains, has finally opened up on their ongoing investigation on Simon Ekpa, which has lasted for six months.
“Who designated the terrorist group? Is it the Nigerian state that has been designated as the deadliest country for Christians to live in, with several reports of human rights abuses and forceful disappearances of indigenous Biafrans, or is it Finland that did the designation?
“On whose behalf did Finland conduct this large-scale terrorist investigation? How many Biafrans in the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, a government currently transformed to the United States of Biafra (USB) Government, which spearheads anything concerning the independence of Biafra, did Finland interview? To date, there’ is no record of an interview with any of the cabinet members of the new nation of Biafra’s government.
“Who were those involved? Was it those innocent Biafrans whose bank accounts were labelled as terrorist sponsors and closed by Nigeria President Tinubu and Christopher Musa or the purported accusation that Biafrans are sponsoring terrorism?
“Who did Finland investigate and talk to in Nigeria?” Which international organisation confirms Finland’s labelling of innocent Biafrans as terrorists?” Orabueze questioned.
“When has the freedom of Biafrans and self-determination turned into a wide-scale terrorist investigation by Finnish President Alex Stubb and Nigerian Defence Chief Christopher Musa?” This false allegation cannot be allowed to thrive and tarnish the image of Biafra patriots such as Simon Ekpa.
“Simon Ekpa is a Biafran and leads over 50 million Biafran citizens that voted for self-referendum, converged in Finland, and declared their independence on November 29th, 2024. How and on what ground do Finland and Otto Hitunan, with Alex Stubb, equate Biafra People’s freedom and self-determination with incitement and terrorist acts?
Orabueze said that the continued detention and violation of Ekpa’s fundamental human rights by Finland should be condemned by all.
She called for his immediate release alongside other Biafrans, including Nnamdi Kanu, whom she claimed are being unjustly detained not only in Finland but also in various cells and DSS facilities across Nigeria.
“The actions of the Finnish government headed by Alex Stubb in the investigation and treatment of Simon Ekpa and other innocent Biafrans in Finland are a violation of the will of the people to self-determination, their freedom, and the promotion of terrorism and the killing of Christians and portend a grave danger to world peace,” she stated.
