Tag: Simon Ekpa

• ‘No weapons found with Kanu during 2015 arrest’

Simon Ekpa, an associate of the detained self acclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu, will soon be brought back to Nigeria for trial, a Federal High Court was told in Abuja yesterday.

An official of the Department of State Services (DSS), who was testifying at the resumption of proceedings in Kanu’s ongoing trial, disclosed this.

The witness, identified with the acronym PWAAA, said he knew Ekpa as an associate of Kanu and that he (Ekpa) would soon be brought back to the country for prosecution for supporting Kanu in his pro-Biafra agitation. 

The witness, who was being cross-examined by Kanu’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), said he was not aware that any other person besides Kanu was being tried in relation to the pro-Biafra agitation.

He said that he learnt from the newspapers and social media about those backing the defendant in the agitation.

 The witness said he could not remember Kanu complaining about corruption in high places, unemployment among youths and tendering apologies to the President for insults directed at him and the negative remarks against Igbo leaders. 

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He further said that he could not remember when Kanu described IPOB as s voluntary organisation that was not involved in carrying arms against the nation.

 The witness admitted that there were killings in some part of the country, especially in the North but that government has been doing its best to stem the tide of the killings.

 He said he did not know whether the killings in other parts of the country were as a result of self determination agitation.

 The witness, who earlier explained how Kanu was arrested in a hotel in Lagos in 2015, said no arms of public disturbance were recovered from the lady arrested along with Kanu.

 The witness said all the items recovered in the hotel room were Kanu’s personal items.

 He however said that the recovered items might ordinarily not be offensive, but the intention of the defendant might be something else. 

PWAAA also told the court that he did not analyse any of the items because his mandate was to effect Kanu’s arrest and obtain a statement from him.

He further explained that he did not bring anybody before Kanu to confront him on any issue of terrorism. 

The witness said Kanu’s statement was obtained without the presence of his lawyer and that statements were not obtained from other persons. 

The items the witness said were recovered from Kanu were tendered in court and admitted as exhibits.

They include 1 Black laptop,  2 Multi mix transmitters, 1 Mini white Apple iPad with pouch, 1 Grey Apple iPad with pouch, 1 Grey MacBook with pouch, 1 Grey MacBook with case, 1 Mini drone sound wave speaker, 2 Mini white speakers, 1 Large computer mouse, 1 White adaptor, 1 Laptop adaptor and1 Carton bag with laptop

 Others are 2 3G modems, 2 Glo modems, 1 Glo Hawaii modem, 1 MTN modem, 1 Etisalat modem, 1 Flash drive, 1 Camcorder, 1 Hand recorder in a black pouch, 1 MacBook Pro adaptor, 1 Mic stand, 1 Phillips headphone, 1 Radio Sharp mic with cord, 1 Pro sound mic with cord, 1 4G LTE modem,  a bunch of cards, 1 Power adaptor for mixer, 1 Easy Blaze white modem, 1 Samsung phone,1 Black Motorola phone and1 Nokia phone. 

Equally admitted were  1 Black Samsung phone, 1 Black phone, 1 D-Link black modem,

1 8GB flash drive, 1 Extension wire adaptor, 1 Pair of shoes, 1 Belt, 1 Pair of ciderwood sneakers and1 Footwear.

 Others are 1 Black Softech wristwatch,  2 Singlets, 1 Sealed Hermes perfume, 1 Trinket, 1 Pokham perfume, 1 Fredrick Peckham wristwatch, 1 Diesel wristwatch, 1 Alexander Christy collection wristwatch, 1 Club wristwatch and 10 items altogether. 

There were also 3 Bank MasterCards, Copies of documents, 1 Copy of IPOB complementary card, Documents tagged IPOB, 1 White clipper 1 Bottle of medicine, 1 Oman perfume, 2 Mini scented oils, 1 Empty black purse, 1 Nigerian passport bearing the names Okwu Kanu Nwannekaibeya Nnamdi Ngozichukwu and1 British passport bearing the name Okwu Kanu Nwannekaibeya, 1 Black purse, 1 Passport holder, 1 Card holder, 1 Box of Rocarden wristwatch and 4 Bundles of cords. 

Trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, adjourned till May 6th, 7th and 8th for continuation of hearing.

…reaffirms commitment to national unity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Finnish government for its intervention in the case of Simon Ekpa, whose actions and statements have been deemed divisive. 

Speaking at the State House in Abuja on Friday while receiving the Letters of Credence from Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Sanna Selin, President Tinubu emphasised that the federal government will not tolerate divisiveness or activities threatening the nation’s unity.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the president commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the nation’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence.

President Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.

“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.

The president noted that the Ambassador’s priorities, including ICT, agriculture, and education, will directly impact the country’s development.

“Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity. Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the North East. I believe that we can work together,” he added.

The Ambassador of Finland extolled the President 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.

In a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, President Tinubu noted that the EU remains one of the highest trading partners of Nigeria, urging the envoy to work towards elevating the volume of transactions, and strengthening the ties.

He said Nigeria needs support in digitalising and automating operations and processes for rendering services.

The president said the Nigerian economy could support investments with its vibrant, youthful population.

Mignot told President Tinubu that Nigeria holds “many untapped potentials,” adding that more could be realised through development cooperation and technology leveraging.

“We have a solid partnership based on our shared values,” he said.

President Tinubu urged collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria to implement the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project.

“We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together. We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves. We must lift Africa together,” the President said.

The Algerian Ambassador said the trans-Sahara African Gas Pipeline project and other proposed regional development projects will significantly impact the continent.

“I would like to personally, on behalf of the government and people of Algeria, convey the greetings of our president and express my delight in our shared values politically, economically, socially and economically,” he added.

Mezoued said Algeria would continue to support Nigeria in negotiating for improved livelihood on the continent with multilateral institutions.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Tuesday said the arrest of Simon Ekpa in Finland has greatly reduced the tension in the South East.

This development, he said, alongside the Operation Udoka by the Defence Headquarters, is restoring peace in the region.

Operation Udoka was established to  flush banditry and end the sit-at-home situation in the South-East.

Musa said they were working with the people to ensure stability in the region.

He said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Defence to defend the 2025 budget.

Musa said: “With the arrest of Simon Ekpa, it has greatly reduced the tension. Also with Operation Udoka, we’re also doing that, picking up most of the leadership that are there, taking them out, and then making sure that the place is peaceful.

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“The sit-at-home on Mondays is gradually diminishing. We’re also working with the political leaders there because we understand, like I said always, we need to have the local support because without it, it’s difficult. You know, the terrain is very challenging, so we need to work together. It is improving.”

Musa said the last holiday period was very peaceful because they were very proactive. 

He said they were committed to non-kinetic measures of addressing the security problem and this was yielding positive results.

“We had some intelligence and worked ahead to ensure that everywhere was kept peaceful. That has happened and we intend to do that and continue to do more. What we try to encourage is jointness, synergy in our operations. 

“And like we always appeal for Nigerians to understand that they have to take ownership of their armed forces, they have to take ownership of the security challenges we are facing. It’s not the challenge for the armed forces alone or security agencies, it’s everybody’s responsibility to do. 

“And we’re happy that we’re beginning to get that support from everywhere. Human intelligence information is coming, it’s flowing quite very well and we are taking adequate action and that’s why we see things are improving.

“What we have done is that we have established and enhanced the kinetic efforts for the three services for our operations. We have the Delta Safe, which is in the South South for Oil theft and Militancy. At least for the first time now we have been able to reach our OPEC oil quota for Nigeria and we intend to do more. 

“Our target is to hit 2.2 million barrels a day for Nigeria. It’s not something that we can also do alone. We also need the other stakeholders in the oil industry to also play their own role. We are doing more, providing more security. We are close to 2 million barrels per day. We intend to do more. This year, we want to intensify our operations so that we take out.

“We have formed groups that are discussing with the locals. And we have found that that discussion has helped a lot. So we have the religious leaders, the cultural leaders, and every stakeholder is also part of it. We realize that if we carry everybody along, it makes it a lot easier. Like we said, the best general is that general that does not need to shoot. If you are able to solve the problem without firing it is better.

“So that by the time we do that, those ones are willing to move, we move them out, and those ones that are unwilling, then we go after them. But the kinetic and the non-kinetic must continue to go hand in hand. And it is working very well,” Musa said.

The CDS urged the improvement of border management to address the problem of smuggling.

He said a number of children who were being trafficked were rescued by them.

“We have rescued a number of children being trafficked across Nigeria to other countries. And then trafficking of drugs, small arms, light weapons. We’re working in tandem with the Customs. When we make such arrests, we call either the NDLEA or call the Customs and hand over to them. So these are extra things that we’re doing,” he said.

He said they were committed to ensuring peace across the country.

Without peace, there cannot be development. And nobody is happy when things are not peaceful. Because even if you think you have, sometimes you might be the ones at the receiving end. So that has equally helped us a lot. 

He also expressed concern about troops welfare, to which he said was dismal.

“Now what is our other concern? Troops’ welfare. We know generally the economy, everybody is having the heat. And we’re no more different. So we’re looking at the aspect of also improving the welfare for our troops, the RCA, Ration Cash Allowance. We’re still struggling at less than N2,000 per soldier per head to feed.

“We’re happy that Mr. President has recently increased the salaries to some extent of the junior class, which is the junior grade of personnel, which has also enhanced their ability. 

“We know the country is going through so much and it’s not only the military that needs support, but I think we want to get more, we can do more.

“We also need accommodation. Every year we are recruiting almost 25,000 for all the services. And those ones going on retirement, every year they are not up to 5,000. So you see we’re getting almost 20,000 into the system. The issue of new barracks, construction, old barracks, renovation, these are issues we have to addess because now that we’re beginning to get peace.

“Gradually we’re going to return to barracks. We don’t want to go back to barracks and then we’ll start living in tents or in batchers like it was before. So it’s important that we’re able to work ahead to establish new barracks that have been established and then to be able to carry out renovation.”

He also stressed the need to drive local manufacturing of weapons as it was difficult getting weapons internationally.

He said this was a major reason the fight against insecurity has persisted.

“We also need equipment. We have also tried to increase, because we realized that, because we don’t produce what we need, it’s been very difficult. That’s one of the reasons why the warfare has continued for this long. Because we have to rely on getting hard currency to go abroad. 

“When you go there to buy, again, you don’t get this thing off the shelf. Sometimes you have to pay. And now with the Ukraine-Russian war, it has made it extremely more difficult. Because America particularly is paying off most of the items. So when you go there, they say it’s already been booked. So to get it is a problem. So we realize thatWe need to also start producing what we need. 

“And that we have started with the DICON bill that Mr. President signed. We are doing a lot together to try and bring for regional equipment manufacturers to come and produce in Nigeria With the DICON, what we are doing again is we have a number of local manufacturers of weapons.

“They have the talents, but they don’t have anywhere to showcase it. So the tendency is if they are not used positively, they will go because they want to survive, they will go negatively. And that’s why in some areas we have identified some people that produce very good weapons, automatic, but local. 

“So what we are doing is we are trying to get them, bring them in, give them the platform so that they can come and legitimately produce this thing. And gradually, Nigeria can start producing its own kind of weapon. So we don’t have to rely on foreigners to get our own weapon. 

“We are doing that and looking at experts. What we are doing, we are talent hunting them all over the country and then bringing them in to be able to produce this item for us.”

Chairman of House Committee on Defence, Rep Babajimi Benson, said as representatives of the people, it is their duty to ensure that every Naira is judiciously spent to strengthen the operational capacity of the Air Forces and deliver tangible results. 

He said this year’s budget defense is particularly significant as it comes against the backdrop of evolving global and domestic security threats. 

These recent developments highlight the need for heightened vigilance and inter-agency collaboration, he said.

“We must leverage intelligence, technology, and best practices to neutralize emerging threats and safeguard our citizens. As we deliberate on the 2025 budget, I urge all defense agencies to prioritize strategic initiatives that align with national security objectives,” he said.

Should the Government of Finland accede to Federal Government’s request, pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa would be extradited to Nigeria.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa confirmed yesterday that the requirements for the extradition of the separatist have been forwarded to Finland Government.

Gen. Musa, who spoke on national television programme monitored in Lagos yesterday, said: “Well, I’m sure he (Ekpa) is cooling off somewhere.

“Legal action is going to be taken accordingly. I don’t want to say much about that but I’m happy he has been arrested.

“The Federal Government has actually forwarded most of the requirements to the Finnish Government. So, I’m sure the right thing will be done.”

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The CDS also said the sit-at-home propagated by Ekpa and his allies in the Southeast is wearing off because of the clearance operations by the military.

In November 2024, Finland authorities arrested Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.

Finland district court in Lahti ordered Ekpa’s remand of on probable cause for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria.

The separatist leader was accused of using social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda linked to the Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB0, a group advocating for the secession of the Southeastern.