Just In: Tinubu Breaks Silence on Simon Ekpa's Detention, Sends Message to Finland

• President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the intervention of the Finish government, with the arrest and detention of Biafra separatist leader Simon Ekpa, saying the government will not tolerate actions that could lead to divisiveness
• The president was speaking when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sanna Selin, at the State House in Abuja
• Tinubu commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the country’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful co-existence

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - President Bola Tinubu on Friday, January 24, welcomed the intervention of the Finnish government with the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE).

As relayed by the presidency, Tinubu said the government will not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.

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President Tinubu spoke when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin, at the State House, Abuja, Daily Trust noted.

Sending commendation to Finland, Tinubu said:

“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism.

“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.

“The national security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means. The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals and values. We must respect the rule of law."

'Simon Ekpa hindering bilateral relations'

Meanwhile, Selin, the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, lamented that Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations.

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Selin said:

“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now, and the national security adviser has been providing all the evidence.

“I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country. They are not easy. Even though it is painful, it is the only way Nigeria can progress. It is essential for the country.

“Finland has been involved in peace mediation as well. We also have opportunities for Nigeria in energy. We can work and make it a realisable dream."

Read more on Simon Ekpa:

• Flashback: How Nnamdi Kanu tried to stop Simon Ekpa’s increasing 'violent tendencies’ from DSS detention
• Simon Ekpa: Igbo elders, leaders give 2 conditions for peace in southeast
• Simon Ekpa: 5 'sins' of arrested controversial Biafra separatist leader

Finnish court sets deadline for Ekpa’s trial

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Ekpa is potentially scheduled to face charges in May 2025.

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A senior detective superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed that the district court had set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to present possible charges against Ekpa.

Giving an update on the case in response to enquiries by the press, Laaksonen noted that the investigation concerning Ekpa's matter was ongoing, and no further details could be disclosed.

Source: Legit.ng