IPOB Disowns Jailed Simon Ekpa, Warns against Linking alHim to Kanu

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has disowned Simon Ekpa following reports of his conviction in Finland, stressing that he has no connection with the group or its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said attempts to associate Ekpa who styles himself as Prime Minister of the “Biafra Government in Exile” with the group were deliberate moves by the Nigerian government to manipulate public opinion and compromise Kanu’s ongoing trial.

“The world must know that Simon Ekpa has never held any position in IPOB or the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

He is not in any way part of the movement, nor does he have any mandate from our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement read.

The group further accused government authorities of using Ekpa’s controversial activities to tarnish its image, insisting that IPOB remains committed to peaceful agitation for self-determination.

IPOB also urged international observers, human rights groups, and foreign governments to disregard any reports attempting to link Ekpa’s legal troubles abroad to its operations.

“The plot is simple to drag IPOB into disrepute and create the impression that our leader is involved in criminality. This will not work because the truth is already clear to the world,” Powerful added.

Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish lawyer and separatist agitator, has long been accused of inciting violence in the South-East through frequent “sit-at-home” orders, which IPOB itself has repeatedly disowned. His reported conviction in Finland has once again raised questions about his controversial role in the Biafra movement.

Meanwhile, IPOB maintained that Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since his arrest in 2021, must be released unconditionally in line with court rulings, reiterating that the group will not relent in seeking justice for its leader.