The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has disassociated itself from Simon Ekpa following his reported conviction in Finland, warning against any attempt to link him with the group.
In a statement on Monday, IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stressed that Ekpa, who styles himself as leader of the “Biafra Government in Exile,” has no affiliation with IPOB or its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The group described efforts to associate Ekpa with IPOB as a deliberate move by the Nigerian government to influence and compromise Kanu’s ongoing trial.
“The world must know that Simon Ekpa has never held any position in IPOB or ESN.
“He created his own contraptions, such as the so-called ‘Biafra Government in Exile’ and ‘Biafra Liberation Army,’ which IPOB has long repudiated,” the statement read.
The group alleged that authorities were using Ekpa’s case to influence the ruling on Kanu’s no-case submission, scheduled for October 10, 2025, describing the delay in judgment as “judicial hostage-taking.”
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It called on the European Union, Finland, the UK, the US, and the United Nations to intervene, stressing that IPOB remained a peaceful movement pursuing self-determination under international law.
The PUNCH reports that the Päijät-Häme District Court on Monday sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related crimes and other offences.
He was convicted on multiple charges, including participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.
The court ordered that Ekpa remain in custody.