FG Breaks Silence on Moves to Extradite Simon Ekpa from Finland Amid Nnamdi Kanu's Trial

• The Nigerian government said it is closely working with Finnish authorities to extradite Simon Ekpa for prosecution over offences related to terrorism
• Amid the resumption of Nnamdi Kanu's trial, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed that Ekpa's case will not be abandoned
• Ekpa has been held in Finland since his arrest, facing charges related to terrorism and other criminal activities
• In a significant twist, Lateef Fagbemi's aide, Kamarudeen Ogundele, on Friday, denied claims that the federal government has commenced extradition proceedings against Simon Ekpa

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

FCT, Abuja - The Nigerian government is working closely with the Finnish authorities to extradite Simon Ekpa for prosecution over offences allegedly committed against the country’s national security and sovereignty.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, confirmed this on Thursday, May 8, during a programme organised by the Ministry of Justice at its headquarters in Abuja.

As reported by The Punch on Friday, May 9, Lateef Fagbemi assured stakeholders that Simon Ekpa’s case would not be abandoned, emphasising that, upon his extradition to Nigeria, the state would pursue the matter diligently.

“Simon Ekpa’s offence is a cross-border offence. If he committed an offence there and committed another one here, we cannot request his release to us until they have dealt with him. After that, we can request his extradition,” he said.

Fagbemi reiterated:

“Simon Ekpa committed offences both there and here.”

FG denies extradition process against Simon Ekpa

In a new development, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, denied reports that the federal government has commenced extradition proceedings against Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, on Friday, the AGF said the reports misrepresented comments he made at a stakeholders’ engagement held on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement read:

“The attention of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has been drawn to media reports where he was erroneously reported to have said that the federal government had commenced an extradition process against Simon Ekpa.

“The report is untrue and a complete departure from what the AGF said at the Stakeholders/Citizen Engagement Forum held on Thursday in Abuja.

“Ekpa, a leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is currently standing trial in Finland for charges filed against him by the Finnish government.”

Simon Ekpa's extradition to Nigeria

Meanwhile, the authorities in Finland have said they suspected Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa of instigating Biafra supporters to commit terrorist acts in the African country.

Legit.ng reported that the impression stemmed from a large-scale terrorism investigation carried out by the law enforcement agency in the Northern European nation since November 2024.

The lead investigator, Detective Superintendent Otto Hiltunen, said Finland cooperated with the Nigerian authorities during what he called Ekpa's "criminal investigation".

However, Ekpa’s lawyer, Kaarle Gummerus, responded to media reports suggesting that the Finnish courts have already ruled on the matter.

Gummerus clarified that the case is still pending, and no official decision has been made on Ekpa’s transfer to Nigeria.

Ekpa is scheduled to appear in court in June 2025.

Tinubu speaks on Simon Ekpa's detention

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu welcomed the intervention of the Finnish government with the arrest and detention of Ekpa.

Tinubu spoke when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin, at the State House, Abuja.

Tinubu said the government will not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng