Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has distanced itself from Simon Ekpa, insisting he has never been a member of the movement.
In a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, the group said, “The record is clear, IPOB under oath in a Finnish court testified that Simon Ekpa has never held any position in IPOB or ESN. Ekpa himself, under oath, described himself merely as a ‘content creator,’ admitted he disowned IPOB, and boasted that he would destroy IPOB.”
The group stressed its commitment to nonviolence, declaring, “Let it be recorded: IPOB is a peaceful movement registered under international law, committed to lawful self-determination. This case in Abuja is not about IPOB’s legitimacy; it is about the persecution of one man — Mazi Nnamdi Kanu — for daring to demand freedom through peaceful means.”
IPOB accused the Nigerian government of attempting to use Ekpa’s conviction as a smokescreen to influence the ongoing trial of its leader.
It alleged, “The Nigerian state is orchestrating this smear campaign as a diversionary tactic, timed precisely to contaminate the upcoming ruling on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s no-case submission before Justice James Omotosho, now adjourned until 10 October 2025. This is not justice. It is judicial hostage-taking — a weaponization of the courts to sustain persecution.”
The group called on the international community, including the European Union, Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Nations, to ensure justice in Kanu’s trial.
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