Why the extradition of Simon Ekpa from Finland cannot fly

By Harry Fanon

As Simon Ekpa is being apprehended in faraway Finland, can the Nigerian government apply for his extradition? Terrorism is not just Nigerian law. It is an international law.

Does Nigeria, under international law jurisprudence, have the right to extradite Ekpa?

Given the abrasive relationship with the law in handling Nnamdi Kanu’s case, can Finland trust the Nigerian government in adjudicating the matter fairly without contravening article 3 torture of the international human right protocol?

Nigeria doesn’t have the judicial decorum and civility to sustain the trial of Simon Ekpa without breaching native and international laws. We see how the APC government is illegally holding Nnamdi Kanu against the will of the tiers of the courts.

Just to emphasize, it is not clear if Nigeria has any extradition treaty with Finland. If such treaty exists, there is a bigger picture of Finland being a European Union member state.

Under the EU treaty, member states cannot extradite people to a country like Nigeria with the death penalty laws. So, this noise about extraditing Simon Ekpa can only remain in Nigeria.

Somewhere I read that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), through Emma Powerful, had a press release where IPOB distanced herself from the insinuations of Simon Ekpa. There is a need to release Nnamdi Kanu and negotiate with the group.

Who is Simon Ekpa?

Simon Ekpa is a Finnish-Nigerian politician and activist known for his involvement in the Biafra separatist movement.

Born on March 21, 1985, in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, he later moved to Finland, where he became a citizen and has been active in local politics.

Ekpa is a self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a group seeking independence for the southeastern region of Nigeria.

Recently, he has been in the news for his arrest in Finland on charges of inciting violence and spreading terrorism.

About the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is a separatist group in Nigeria that aims to restore the defunct Republic of Biafra, which seceded from Nigeria in 1967 before being reintegrated after the Nigerian Civil War ended in 1970.

Founded in 2012 by Nnamdi Kanu and Uche Mefor, IPOB advocates for the independence of the southeastern region of Nigeria, primarily inhabited by the Igbo people.

IPOB has been involved in various activities to promote its cause, including protests and media campaigns. However, the Nigerian government has labeled the group as a terrorist organization since 2017.

Despite this, IPOB continues to garner support from some segments of the Igbo population and has a significant presence both within Nigeria and among the diasporas.

The group has also established the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a paramilitary wing aimed at protecting the southeastern region from external threats. IPOB’s activities have led to numerous clashes with Nigerian security forces, resulting in casualties and arrests.

For more detailed information, visit IPOB official website.

Harry Fanon is a philosopher and a jurisprudence attorney writing from his Ahiazu Cave.

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