By our reporter
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has disassociated itself from Simon Ekpa, warning the Nigerian government against using his recent conviction in Finland to manipulate public opinion and distract from the ongoing trial of its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement issued on Sunday, IPOB firmly stated that Simon Ekpa has never been a member of the organization or its security wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The group described current efforts to link Ekpa to IPOB as a deliberate misinformation campaign aimed at damaging its public image and derailing its peaceful agitation for Biafran self-determination.
According to IPOB, Ekpa’s own defense in the Finnish court confirmed that he is not affiliated with the group. During the trial, Ekpa described himself as a “content creator” and reportedly stated that he had no ties to IPOB, even claiming he intended to dismantle the group.
Ekpa was recently sentenced to six years in prison by a Finnish court after being found guilty of supplying weapons to armed groups in Nigeria, inciting criminal activities, and committing aggravated tax fraud. His conviction has drawn widespread attention across international and Nigerian media.
However, IPOB insists that Ekpa’s conviction has no connection to its movement or the legal case involving Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in detention facing charges that the group argues are politically motivated and lacking in merit.
The group accused the Nigerian government of exploiting the media attention surrounding Ekpa’s sentencing to influence public perception ahead of a critical court ruling in Kanu’s case. A Federal High Court in Abuja is scheduled to rule on a no-case submission filed by Kanu’s legal team on October 10, 2025. IPOB fears the government may be using Ekpa’s conviction to justify further delays or to sway the judiciary.
IPOB described the delay in Kanu’s legal proceedings as a form of judicial abuse and called it “judicial hostage-taking.” The group argues that Kanu has been subjected to prolonged detention and unfair treatment, including extraordinary rendition from Kenya in 2021, despite multiple court rulings in his favor.
It also called on the international community including the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, and United Nations to monitor the trial closely and prevent what it described as attempts to politicize the justice system.
IPOB reiterated its commitment to a non-violent and legal pursuit of a Biafran referendum. The group stated that its activities are rooted in international law and peaceful advocacy, rejecting any association with violence or criminal behavior.
This is not the first time IPOB has distanced itself from Simon Ekpa. In previous press statements, the group has repeatedly warned against associating Ekpa with its leadership or ideology, asserting that his actions are independent and should not reflect on IPOB or its objectives.
With the next court session fast approaching, the trial of Nnamdi Kanu remains a sensitive and highly watched issue both within Nigeria and abroad. Human rights groups, political analysts, and Biafran supporters continue to call for a transparent and lawful resolution to the case.
