Simon Ekpa - capitaltimesnews.com

CapitalTimesNews / 4 weeks

1 min read

The trial of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, has commenced in Finland. Ekpa faces terrorism-related charges, including public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in a terrorist group. The Finnish government arrested him in November 2024 on suspicion of terror-related activities. According to the prosecution, Ekpa allegedly used social media to promote violence in the South-East region, targeting civilians and authorities. State prosecutor Sampsa Hakala said, “We have a great deal of evidence regarding this individual’s online activity and communications.” The prosecutor is demanding a six-year prison sentence for Ekpa. Ekpa’s lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, denied the charges and expressed concerns over the credibility of information obtained from Nigerian sources. “The challenge is gathering reliable information, given that much of the suspected criminal activity occurred in Africa,” the prosecution acknowledged. The court is also reviewing allegations of aggravated tax fraud and suspicions that Ekpa may have ordered weapons for pro-Biafra groups. Ekpa’s separatist activities, conducted online and coordinated from Finland, may constitute terrorism under Finnish law. The case has been jointly investigated by Finnish police and Nigerian authorities.

NO EXTRADITION PROCESS AGAINST SIMON EKPA – AGF FAGBEMI

CapitalTimesNews / 2 months

2 min read

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has denied reports that the federal government has commenced an extradition process against Simon Ekpa, a leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In a statement signed by Special Assistant to the President on Communication and Publicity, Office of the AGF and Minister of Justice, Kamarudeen Ogundele, Fagbemi clarified that the reports were untrue and a departure from what he said at the Stakeholders/Citizen Engagement Forum. Fagbemi’s Special Assistant explained that the AGF had been engaging with Finnish authorities to ensure that Simon Ekpa is held accountable for his actions. “What the AGF said during the question and answer session was that the Nigerian government had been engaging with Finnish authorities to ensure that Simon Ekpa is held accountable for his actions,” Ogundele said. Ekpa is currently standing trial in Finland for charges filed against him by the Finnish government. Ogundele further stated that the Nigerian government eagerly awaits the outcome of the proposed trial in Finland to have an informed decision on the next step to take. “Since the crimes committed by Simon Ekpa were crossborder in nature, the Nigerian government eagerly awaits the outcome of the proposed trial in Finland to have an informed decision on the next step to take,” Ogundele added. The AGF’s office appealed to the media to be circumspect and avoid reporting speculations on the sensitive matter. Ogundele emphasized the need for accurate reporting, saying the media should avoid spreading misinformation.

FG DECLARES SIMON EKPA, 15 OTHERS TERRORISM FINANCIERS, FREEZES THEIR ASSETS

CapitalTimesNews / 4 months

2 min read

The Federal Government has officially designated Simon Ekpa and 15 other individuals as terrorism financiers, freezing their assets and ordering financial institutions to report any transactions linked to them. The government also declared the Lakurawa Sect as a terrorist organization and a terrorism financier. These actions were taken following their alleged involvement in funding and supporting terrorist activities. According to the government, the decision was made in line with Section 54 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Under this provision, all financial institutions and certain businesses are now required to immediately freeze, without prior notice, all funds and assets linked to the designated individuals and entities. They must also report any such frozen assets to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee. Additionally, any financial transactions involving these individuals must be flagged and reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). The law mandates strict compliance, warning that failure to adhere to these measures could result in both criminal and civil penalties, as well as reputational risks for financial institutions and businesses. The Nigerian government clarified that the asset-freezing mechanism is a preventive tool designed to disrupt terrorist activities by cutting off financial support. Financial institutions and businesses have been warned that failure to comply with these sanctions could lead to legal consequences. Authorities have instructed banks and other financial service providers to identify and freeze all assets owned, controlled, or associated with the designated individuals and groups. This includes funds in accounts owned jointly or indirectly by them, as well as those managed on their behalf by third parties. The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to fighting terrorism and has vowed to take strict action against individuals or entities found supporting terrorist groups through financial means.

PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMENDS FINLAND FOR INTERVENING IN SIMON EKPA’S CASE

Nicolas Adekeye / 5 months
0
2 min read

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Finnish government for intervening in the case of Simon Ekpa, saying the government will not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens. The President spoke when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin, at the State House. The Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, stated that President Tinubu commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the nation’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence. “I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible,” President Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador. Mignot Onanuga added that President Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued. The President noted that the Ambassador’s priorities, including ICT, agriculture, and education, will directly impact the country’s development. Onanuga quoted President Tinubu as saying, “Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity. Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the North East. I believe that we can work together.” The Ambassador of Finland extolled the President for his courage in initiating reforms that will benefit the economy and ensure prosperity in the future. Onanuga stated that the Ambassador noted that Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations, adding that cooperation between the two countries is going well now. Onanuga also reported that President Tinubu met with the Ambassador of the European Union, urging the envoy to work towards elevating the volume of transactions and strengthening ties. Bayo Onanuga noted that President Tinubu also urged collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria to implement the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project. “We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together,” the President said. The Algerian Ambassador said the project will significantly impact the continent.

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FINLAND COURT TO DETERMINE FATE OF SELF-PROCLAIMED BIAFRA PRIME MINISTER SIMON EKPA IN TERRORISM TRIAL

NO EXTRADITION PROCESS AGAINST SIMON EKPA – AGF FAGBEMI

FG DECLARES SIMON EKPA, 15 OTHERS TERRORISM FINANCIERS, FREEZES THEIR ASSETS

PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMENDS FINLAND FOR INTERVENING IN SIMON EKPA’S CASE

NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY SETS AMBITIOUS REVENUE.

GUNMEN HIJACK BENUE LINKS BUS, KIDNAP.

AFRICAN FUTURE DEPENDS ON INTEGRATING INFORMAL.

WOMEN JOURNALISTS CALL FOR PASSAGE OF.

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