What Finnish Ambassador told Tinubu about ongoing trial of Simon Ekpa
Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sanna Selin and President Bola Tinubu
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin has revealed that National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu is providing all the evidence for the ongoing trial of Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa for terrorism in her country, Finland.
Ms Sanna Selin spoke after presenting his Letters of Credence to President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock presidential villa on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for the President said in a statement.
The Finnish Ambassador also acknowledged that activities of Simon Ekpa
who is believed to be the major sponsor killings of civilians and security personnel in the South East part of the country by the so called unknown gunmen have been hindering relations between Nigeria and Finland.
Selina, however, said relations between Nigeria and Finland has improved after the arrest of Ekpa.
The Ambassador also extolled President Tinubu for his courage in initiating reforms that will benefit the economy and ensure prosperity in the future.
“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,” the Ambassador noted.
“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,” she stated.
Speaking earlier, President Tinubu Tinubu commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the nation’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence with the arrest of Ekpa.
Whil welcoming the intervention of the Finish government, with the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, Tinubu said the Nigerian government will not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.
“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,” President Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador.
“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.
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“The National Security Adviser, Malam 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,” the President said.
Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was arrested last November Finnish authorities on charges of inciting terrorism and promoting violence.
Kimiebi Ebienfa, the Acting Spokesperson of the Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on 22 November.
The Ministry in the statement described the arrest of Ekpa as a significant development in tackling the activities of IPOB and neutralising the influence of transnational actors, and their impact on national security.
“The ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,”he said
“The ministry wishes to confirm the arrest of Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and prominent leader of the proscribed IPOB, by Finnish authorities on Thursday, Nov. 21.
“He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
“The Finnish authorities alleged that Ekpa used social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda, incite violence and encourage illegal actions, which had caused significant disruptions in the South-East of Nigeria.
“Finnish investigators had also linked him to incidents of violence in Nigeria, which were believed to have been fueled by his online activities.
“The arrest of Ekpa follows sustained diplomatic pressure by the Nigerian government on Finland, to take action against his activities, linked to violence and instability in the South-East of Nigeria.”
It explained that the request for action featured during high-level engagements between the two countries.
Ekpa had in 2022 declared activation of Biafra Government in exile and himself leader in 2023 while in exile.
