Human rights lawyer and IPOB counsel, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, strongly criticised Igbo leaders for their silence on Simon Ekpa’s conviction in Finland. According to him, their inaction emboldened the separatist’s reign of terror in the South-East.
In a Wednesday statement, Ejiofor argued that Ekpa’s sentencing by Finland’s Päijät-Häme District Court further exposed years of bloodshed.
Moreover, he described Ekpa as “a serial fraudster posing as a liberator,” stressing that his actions devastated Igbo communities. Ejiofor accused many politicians of fueling violence through silence or covert association.
He asked, “How many Igbo politicians have publicly addressed his conviction?” He added, “Their lips are sealed, their consciences weakened by cowardice or convenience.”
Furthermore, Ejiofor lamented that after each violent attack, Ekpa celebrated online, glorifying killings and encouraging further atrocities. He condemned Ekpa’s online supporters, saying they defended violence while ignoring its tragic human toll.
Ejiofor stressed that IPOB’s Directorate of State had distanced itself from Ekpa. They staged protests in Finland and petitioned authorities. He reaffirmed that Ekpa has no ties to IPOB’s peaceful struggle for Biafra.
Consequently, he warned that Ekpa’s campaign had already claimed thousands of Igbo youths and urged elites to act responsibly. “Evil thrives when good men keep silent. Today’s silence becomes tomorrow’s complicity,” Ejiofor declared.
Therefore, he called for a “purification of the struggle,” insisting self-determination must never be pursued through violence.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Federal Government signaled it may seek Ekpa’s repatriation following his six-year sentence in Finland.
Notably, the Finnish court convicted Ekpa of terrorist participation, incitement, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act. Judges ruled that between August 2021 and November 2024, he promoted separatist violence online and helped form terrorist groups.
The trial spanned 12 sessions and ended with a unanimous verdict by three judges. Nigeria’s Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said the government would study the judgment before acting. However, Ekpa denied all charges.
