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Simon Ekpa Faces Justice: Finnish Court Approves Extradition to Nigeria

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Simon Ekpa

 

In a pivotal development with far-reaching implications for regional security and international justice, Finnish authorities have approved the extradition of Simon Ekpa, the controversial Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, to Nigeria. The transfer is scheduled for July 15, 2025, following the ruling of the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti on April 18, 2025.

Ekpa, who has long styled himself as the “Prime Minister” of the self-declared Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, has been a central figure in the resurgence of violent separatist rhetoric. Contrary to persistent reports in Nigerian media and some government statements, Simon Ekpa is not affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has repeatedly disassociated itself from him. IPOB maintains that it has no factions and does not recognize Ekpa’s authority or activities.

Instead, Ekpa leads a self-formed group known as “Autopilot,” and has been linked to a criminal armed wing referred to as the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA)—a network accused of k@dnappings, ass@ssinations, and enforcing violent “sit-at-home” orders in Nigeria’s southeast. Critics argue that labeling him as part of IPOB is both misleading and dangerous, as it conflates a non-violent group with violent extremists.

“We don’t understand why the Nigerian government and media continue to tag him as a leader of a faction of IPOB. That is pure misinformation and deceptive,” an IPOB spokesperson stated. “Simon Ekpa runs his own network of cr@minals and k@dnappers, and his actions have nothing to do with the actual Biafran struggle or IPOB’s ideology of non-violence.”

Ekpa was arrested in Lahti, Finland, in November 2024 after months of surveillance and investigation. He is accused by Finnish police of inciting violence from abroad using social media broadcasts, which allegedly led to attacks on civilians and Nigerian security forces. Four other suspects were also detained in connection with financing and facilitating his activities.

The Nigerian government, which has sought his extradition since early 2023, hailed the court’s decision as a breakthrough. A senior official from the Ministry of Defence called it “a triumph for justice and a stern warning to those who think they can destabilize Nigeria from foreign soil.”

Ekpa’s extradition was not without legal challenges. Finland traditionally does not extradite its citizens outside the EU or Nordic region. However, after Nigeria presented compelling evidence under the Rome Statute—ratified by both nations—a rare agreement was reached. Finnish authorities emphasized that the ruling complied with international law and due process.

Upon his arrival in Nigeria, Ekpa is expected to face multiple charges including terr@rism, conspiracy, incitement of v@olence, and crimes against the state. His case will likely be one of the most closely watched in recent Nigerian legal history, with domestic and international human rights groups expected to monitor the proceedings.

Source: Wise Igbo Man

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“I’ll never settle for a barber, yahoo boy or a poor man” — nail tech’s list of men she says she can’t marry sparks reactions online

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A Nigerian nail technician has set social media talking after openly listing the kind of men she says she can never settle for.

In a now-viral post, she stated clearly that she refuses to “settle for less” and went on to mention professions and traits she considers a no-go area.

According to her, she can never settle for a barber, an aza man, a yahoo boy, a mechanic, an actor, a laundry man, a hype man, or a plumber. She also added that she wouldn’t marry a man with a high body count or a poor man.

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Nigeria Police Force successfully repatriates $23,000 to international romance scam victim

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The Nigeria Police Force INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), Abuja has successfully repatriated the sum of Twenty-Three Thousand United States Dollars ($23,000) recovered from an international romance scammer to the victim in The Cayman Islands.

A statement from CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson of the force, says the repatriation followed a request received from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service seeking assistance of the INTERPOL NCB Abuja to investigate a Nigerian national, Achufusi Obioma Ikenna, who defrauded a resident of the Cayman Islands through an online romance scam.

‘’Acting on the request, INTERPOL NCB Abuja conducted discreet, intelligence-led investigations which led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the sum of $23,000.

Following the completion of all necessary documentation and in collaboration with international partners, the recovered funds were formally handed over to the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, through the British High Commission in Abuja, represented by Mr. Shaun McLeary, for secure delivery to the victim.’’

Hundeyin added that the suspect will be arraigned at the conclusion of investigation.

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Bosso replaces Danjuma as Imo Police Command CP

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The Imo State Police Command, Owerri, has a new Police Commissioner in the person of Audu Garba Bosso, who replaced Aboki Danjuma, the outgoing Police Commissioner. Danjuma was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and posted to Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Upon assumption of duty, CP Bosso called on sister security agencies, stakeholders, and all residents to collaborate with the police in tackling crime and social vices.

He stressed that community-based policing, intelligence-led operations, and a people-friendly approach will guide his administration, with strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights.

In a brief biography made available to journalists by the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, it was revealed that CP Bosso was born on December 31, 1967, in Bosso, Niger State.

He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on June 10, 1994, as a Cadet ASP, Course 18/1994.

Revealing his academic history, Okoye stated that CP Bosso holds an NCE in Geography/Biology, a B.Sc.Ed in Biology, and an M.Sc in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is also a member of the National Institute of Policing Studies (MNIPS).

In the course of his career, he has attended key professional courses, including PMF Mobile Training School, Citizenship and Leadership Course, Community Policing Course, TLCC, and SLCC, which have shaped his strategic and community-oriented policing philosophy.

The command’s spokesperson added that before his recent deployment to Imo State, CP Bosso served as DPO in over twenty-two divisions nationwide across Sokoto and Kwara State Commands, including Bale Gudu, Dange-Shuni, Wamako, and Kebbe Divisions in Sokoto State, as well as ‘B’ Division, Surulere, Ilorin, Kwara State Command, among others.

“He also held strategic appointments across several state commands, which include: CSP Administration, Kwara State Command; 2i/c Ilorin Metro Area Command, Kwara; 2i/c CID, Katsina State Command; AC Provost Marshal, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Area Commander, Saki, Oyo State Command; Area Commander, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State Command; ACP Administration, Enugu State Command; Area Commander, Iyekogba, Edo State Command; Director CPTU, Police Service Commission, Jos; Director Finance & Administration, POLAC Wudil, Kano State; DCP G.I FCID Annex, Gombe State; DCP Operations, Borno State Command; and CP G.I FCID Annex, Kaduna State, before his posting to Imo State,” Okoye stated.

The new Commissioner has called on all Imo residents to actively partner with the Police and other security agencies through timely information sharing and participation in community policing initiatives, assuring the public of his commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining peace, and fostering a people-friendly policing culture across the state.

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