The Finnish government has assured Nigeria that the legal proceedings involving Simon Ekpa, a self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra, will be concluded soon.
This was disclosed by Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, after a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and other Nordic delegates in Abuja.
Valtonen stated that Ekpa’s case is being handled through Finland’s judicial system, which operates strictly by the rule of law.
“If you are referring to a specific person operating in Finland in a less than constructive manner, we have discussed this with the Nigerian authorities. Both our judicial systems are collaborating on this matter, and we hope it will soon be resolved,” she said.
Valtonen reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to working with Nigeria on the matter, emphasizing that both governments have stressed that the case is not a political issue but rather a judicial one.
“Both governments have stressed that the case is not a political issue but rather a judicial one, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the law as the proceedings unfold,” she added.
Tuggar confirmed that the Ekpa issue was a central topic in his discussions with Valtonen.
“It was a priority. There is no way Nigeria would engage with Finland without raising the issue of Simon Ekpa vociferously,” he said.
Ekpa, who resides in Finland, has been linked to the violence in the South-East and is believed to be behind the ‘unknown gunmen’. Some Nigerians have called for his repatriation to face prosecution for his actions.
