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| Simon Ekpa |
Finland-based blogger Simon Ekpa faces arrest and extradition to Nigeria for sponsoring terrorism in the southeast region of the African country.
Several reports had linked Mr. Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Biafra spokesman who was a former supporter of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to terrorism by his cohorts known as "autopilot" in the southeast where the agitation for an independent state known as Biafra is underway.
Finnish government officials in Nigeria have confirmed they have received several complaints about the blogger, after armed gangs attacked state forces and civilians who refused to accept a five-day sit-at-home ordered by Ekpa.
The Finnish government told the BBC it was looking into the complaint which could lead to Mr Ekpa's arrest and extradition to Nigeria where he will face terrorism charges.
Meanwhile, IPOB and its detained leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had distanced themselves from Ekpa who says his armed violence and false declarations are aimed at securing the release of the activist and leader of the self-determination group detained in Nigeria since 2021.
The IPOB and apex-Igbo socio-cultural group Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, called Ekpa an "enemy of Ndigbo", stating that he and his gang are sponsored by unidentified politicians to destabilize the eastern region and the self-determination movement underway in the region.
On Tuesday— December 13, 2022, Ifeanyi Ejiofor – Nnamdi Kanu's lawyer announced that he and other lawyers have filed a lawsuit in FCT High Court against Simon Ekpa.
The filing papers send by Tagzette shows that other individuals linked to terror activities with Mr. Ekpa are also charged in the FCT High Court.
Ekpa who calls himself "Dragon" declined to comment directly on the case against him, but in a tweet he said he was not afraid of the consequences resulting from his actions which he said are to help achieve a sovereign state of Biafra.
“He caused so much violence and killings that Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB and others condemned. He has to face the consequences,” said Henry Nwankwo, a human rights activist.
Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, who spoke about the legal action against Mr. Ekpa, assured Simon Ekpa and his cohorts that whatever country they believe they are currently hiding under its sovereign protection, they will face the wrath of the law.
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