IPOB reacts to Simon Ekpa’s jail sentence in Finland

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said it has nothing to do with the conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland, stressing that his actions are his own responsibility.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB described attempts to link the group with Ekpa as false and misleading.

“The world must know that the issue of Simon Ekpa not being a member of IPOB was already confirmed in a Finnish court,” the group said.

According to IPOB, during a court case in Finland, both the group and Ekpa made it clear that he had no connection with IPOB. The group explained that under oath, it testified that Ekpa never held any position in IPOB or its security wing, ESN. It added that Ekpa himself admitted he was only a “content creator,” had rejected IPOB, and even boasted that he would destroy it.

IPOB also accused Ekpa of setting up his own groups, including the so-called “Biafra Government in Exile,” “Biafra Liberation Army,” and “Biafra Defence Force,” which it said go against IPOB’s vision.

The group argued that trying to connect Ekpa’s conviction to IPOB was part of a deliberate attempt to spread lies. It further accused the Nigerian government of using Ekpa’s case as a distraction from the trial of IPOB’s leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“The government is pushing this narrative to influence the no-case ruling on Nnamdi Kanu, even though it has failed to prove any case against him,” IPOB claimed.

The group called on the European Union, Finland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations to step in and stop what it described as Nigeria’s misuse of the case.

“Simon Ekpa’s conviction is his problem alone. IPOB will not share in it,” the group declared.

It stressed that IPOB is a peaceful movement recognized under international law and focused on lawful self-determination.

IPOB warned the Nigerian judiciary that the world is watching Kanu’s trial, adding that on October 10, 2025, only a fair judgment based on law and facts would be acceptable.

The statement concluded with a warning to Nigeria: “If you continue to misrepresent facts, you risk further destroying your image before the international community.”