Ngozi Orabueze, deputy to Simon Ekpa, the detained Biafra campaigner, has launched a stinging attack on the Finnish government, accusing it of serving Nigeria’s interests by keeping Ekpa in custody.
Orabueze released a statement on the 6th of May, 2025, decrying Ekpa’s prolonged detention since November 2024.
She accused Finland of detaining a “freedom fighter” for financial benefits, saying the arrest of the self-proclaimed Biafran leader is rooted in economic motivations rather than justice.
Her comments followed remarks made by Otto Hiltunen, chief investigator at the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, published by Finnish news outlet Yle.
Hiltunen said, “Ekpa is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.”
But Orabueze pushed back hard, She dismissed the claims as shallow and politically motivated, arguing that Ekpa’s rights have been trampled.
In her words, “Finland, currently acting as a stooge for the Nigerian government and participating in an investigation that ordinarily from the first day is a transnational repression case for economic gains, has finally opened up on their ongoing investigation on Simon Ekpa, which has lasted for six months.”
She demanded to know the source of the “terrorist group” label: “Who designated the terrorist group? Is it the Nigerian state that has been designated as the deadliest country for Christians to live in, with several reports of human rights abuses and forceful disappearances of indigenous Biafrans, or is it Finland that did the designation?”
Orabueze questioned the legitimacy of the investigation: “On whose behalf did Finland conduct this large-scale terrorist investigation? How many Biafrans in the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, a government currently transformed to the United States of Biafra (USB) Government, which spearheads anything concerning the independence of Biafra, did Finland interview? To date, there is no record of an interview with any of the cabinet members of the new nation of Biafra’s government.”
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She also raised concerns about wrongful targeting: “Who were those involved? Was it those innocent Biafrans whose bank accounts were labelled as terrorist sponsors and closed by Nigeria President Tinubu and Christopher Musa or the purported accusation that Biafrans are sponsoring terrorism?”
More questions followed: “Who did Finland investigate and talk to in Nigeria? Which international organisation confirms Finland’s labelling of innocent Biafrans as terrorists?”
According to Orabueze, Finland’s actions point to something more sinister: “The mere mention of this suppressive case by Alexander Stubb, the current Finnish president, and his government not only undermines the integrity and sincerity of Finland but also exposes the dark side of the Finnish government secretly colluding, enhancing, and validating a terrorist state such as Nigeria in exchange for economic gains.”
She challenged the framing of Biafra’s push for independence: “When has the freedom of Biafrans and self-determination turned into a wide-scale terrorist investigation by Finnish President Alex Stubb and Nigerian Defence Chief Christopher Musa? This false allegation can not be allowed to thrive and tarnish the image of Biafra patriots such as Simon Ekpa.”
Orabueze highlighted Ekpa’s popular support:
“Simon Ekpa is a Biafran and leads over 50 million Biafran citizens that voted for self-referendum, converged in Finland, and declared their independence on November 29th, 2024.”
She took aim at Finnish authorities directly:
“How and on what ground do Finland and Otto Hitunan, with Alex Stubb, equate Biafra People’s freedom and self-determination with incitement and terrorist acts?”
She demanded proof: “Finland said through their investigation that four Biafrans were financing terrorism. Can Finland produce the documents that support such a frivolous claim, or is Finland merely going by what the Nigerian state told them?”
And issued a scathing verdict: “If the answer is yes, then Alex Stubb has lost credibility as a leader of one of the purportedly freest nations in the world.”
She stood firm behind those accused: “The four ‘acclaimed suspects’ by Finland are pure, innocent Biafrans that have refused to cohabit with reintegrated and rehabilitated terrorists sponsored by the Nigerian state.”
On Finland’s handling of Ekpa’s case, she said:
“Finland said they have conducted an investigation relating to Simon Ekpa. It is now obvious that all the atrocities and human rights violations and abuses reported to the government of Finland on multiple occasions are on their table, and the world awaits the actions to be taken by Finland in that aspect.”
She concluded with a call to action: “The continued detention and violation of Simon Ekpa’s fundamental human rights by Finland should be condemned by all, and a quick release should be carried out for Simon Ekpa and all innocent Biafrans, such as Nnamdi Kanu, detained not only in Finland but across several cells and DSS dungeons in Nigeria.”
Her final warning was clear: “The actions of the Finnish government headed by Alex Stubb in the investigation and treatment of Simon Ekpa and other innocent Biafrans in Finland are a violation of the will of the people to self-determination, their freedom, and the promotion of terrorism and the killing of Christians and portend a grave danger to world peace.”
The United States of Biafra, she added, has already escalated the matter to relevant international authorities.