Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, human rights lawyer and counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has lauded the conviction of the Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa by a Finnish District Court, saying the court ruling was a historic lesson against fraud, deception, and violence disguised as agitation.
In a statement issued on Monday, the human rights lawyer noted that the judgment did not come as a surprise, noting that Ekpa’s activities had long been built on “lies, violence, and exploitation.”
“The conviction of Simon Ekpa today by a District Court in Finland does not come to me as a surprise,” Ejiofor said.
“I have long understood the weight of his infractions, the inherent weakness of his defence, and the inevitable collapse of the fraudulent empire he built on lies, violence, and exploitation.”
He accused Ekpa of usurping the authority of the Directorate of State (DOS) of IPOB, while spreading violence through his so-called Biafra Liberation Army (BLA).
According to Ejiofor, Ekpa’s actions soiled the image of IPOB’s global peaceful movement and provided the Nigerian state with excuses to clamp down on innocent agitators.
“He was aided, both openly and discreetly, by individuals and groups whose mission was to derail the genuine struggle for self-determination, sow confusion, and ultimately reduce Ala-Igbo into a theatre of violence, bloodshed, and blackmail,” Ejiofor said.
He noted that Ekpa’s deadly declarations were swallowed hook, line, and sinker by vulnerable and misguided elements.
Ejiofor said, “His so-called “foot soldiers,” whenever apprehended, would never mention his name or his ‘Biafra Liberation Army (BLA)’.
“Instead, they falsely claimed to be IPOB members, thereby tarnishing the image of a peaceful global movement.
“This strategic deception provided the Nigerian state with excuses to brutalise innocent and peaceful agitators, and criminalise a globally recognised peaceful movement.”
The lawyer recalled that he consistently raised his voice against Ekpa’s methods, even at great personal risk.
“Throughout this dangerous era, I raised my voice on every available platform, including mainstream media, warning our people to reject Simon Ekpa and his poisonous preachings.
“I was attacked, vilified, and branded a saboteur simply because I insisted on speaking the truth,” he said.
He accused Ekpa of exploiting gullible followers with false promises of warships, fighter jets, and unrealistic independence dates while enriching himself abroad.
“The irony remains painful: even after each false prophecy failed, some continued to clap for him, pouring in financial contributions, while he lived in comfort abroad and our youths died at home,” he added.
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