***Dr. Orabueze Slams Simon Ekpa Investigation as Transnational Repression for Economic Gain
The Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the United States of Biafra (USB), Dr. Ngozi Orabueze, has strongly condemned Finland’s ongoing investigation into Simon Ekpa, describing it as a politically motivated operation driven by economic interests and transnational repression.
In a fiery statement released on Tuesday, Dr. Orabueze accused the Finnish government, led by President Alexander Stubb, of acting as a “stooge” of the Nigerian state and participating in what he called “a sham investigation” that undermines human rights and the global principles of self-determination.
According to Finnish media outlet Yle, Finland’s Central Criminal Police, after six months of investigation, now suspects Ekpa of “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.” Chief investigator Otto Hiltunen stated that the case is being pursued in cooperation with Nigerian authorities.
Reacting to this, Dr. Orabueze asked, “Who designated the group as a terrorist organization—Finland or Nigeria? A country globally recognized as one of the deadliest for Christians and routinely criticized for its human rights abuses cannot be the moral compass in this matter.”
She noted that neither Ekpa nor any senior member of the United States of Biafra government-in-exile has been formally interviewed by Finnish authorities, despite the USB having spearheaded the Biafran independence movement since its declaration of sovereignty on November 29, 2024.
“If this investigation was genuine, why weren’t any Biafran officials consulted? Why have human rights violations reported to Finland against the Nigerian state been ignored?” Orabueze queried.
She further accused Finland of using unverified intelligence provided by the Nigerian government, including labeling Biafran citizens as terrorist financiers and closing their bank accounts, without presenting any public evidence or third-party verification.
Dr. Orabueze warned that President Stubb’s stance not only undermines Finland’s credibility as a democratic nation but also risks enabling a campaign of state-sponsored repression, targeting peaceful self-determination efforts.
“Simon Ekpa leads over 50 million Biafrans who have chosen the path of freedom through a democratic referendum. Equating this to terrorism is an insult to the principles of liberty and justice,” he stated.
Calling for Ekpa’s immediate release and the end of all politically motivated investigations, Dr. Orabueze also demanded international attention to the continued detention of other Biafran figures, including Nnamdi Kanu in Nigeria.
“The world must not remain silent as Finland aids and validates a government with a well-documented record of violating human rights. The treatment of Simon Ekpa is not just a violation of one man’s rights — it is a direct attack on the aspirations of an entire people,” he said.
She concluded by warning that such actions “promote terror, endanger Christian lives in Nigeria, and pose a grave threat to global peace.”