In a pivotal development with far-reaching implications for regional security and international justice, Finnish authorities have approved the extradition of Simon Ekpa, the controversial Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, to Nigeria. The transfer is scheduled for July 15, 2025, following the ruling of the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti on April 18, 2025.

Ekpa, who has long styled himself as the “Prime Minister” of the self-declared Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, has been a central figure in the resurgence of violent separatist rhetoric. Contrary to persistent reports in Nigerian media and some government statements, Simon Ekpa is not affiliated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has repeatedly disassociated itself from him. IPOB maintains that it has no factions and does not recognize Ekpa’s authority or activities.

Instead, Ekpa leads a self-formed group known as “Autopilot,” and has been linked to a criminal armed wing referred to as the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA)—a network accused of k@dnappings, ass@ssinations, and enforcing violent “sit-at-home” orders in Nigeria’s southeast. Critics argue that labeling him as part of IPOB is both misleading and dangerous, as it conflates a non-violent group with violent extremists.

“We don’t understand why the Nigerian government and media continue to tag him as a leader of a faction of IPOB. That is pure misinformation and deceptive,” an IPOB spokesperson stated. “Simon Ekpa runs his own network of cr@minals and k@dnappers, and his actions have nothing to do with the actual Biafran struggle or IPOB’s ideology of non-violence.”

Ekpa was arrested in Lahti, Finland, in November 2024 after months of surveillance and investigation. He is accused by Finnish police of inciting violence from abroad using social media broadcasts, which allegedly led to attacks on civilians and Nigerian security forces. Four other suspects were also detained in connection with financing and facilitating his activities.

The Nigerian government, which has sought his extradition since early 2023, hailed the court’s decision as a breakthrough. A senior official from the Ministry of Defence called it “a triumph for justice and a stern warning to those who think they can destabilize Nigeria from foreign soil.”

Ekpa’s extradition was not without legal challenges. Finland traditionally does not extradite its citizens outside the EU or Nordic region. However, after Nigeria presented compelling evidence under the Rome Statute—ratified by both nations—a rare agreement was reached. Finnish authorities emphasized that the ruling complied with international law and due process.

Upon his arrival in Nigeria, Ekpa is expected to face multiple charges including terr@rism, conspiracy, incitement of v@olence, and crimes against the state. His case will likely be one of the most closely watched in recent Nigerian legal history, with domestic and international human rights groups expected to monitor the proceedings.

Source: Wise Igbo Man

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has commissioned the Zion Ministry’s Orphanage and Old People’s Home in Mgbirichi, Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area.

The Governor encouraged investors to take advantage of Imo’s safe and secure environment, promising support for businesses.

Ekwutosblog reported that Gov. Uzodimma commended Evangelist Chukwuebuka Obi, Spiritual Director of Zion Ministries, for his initiative to care for vulnerable members of society. He urged Obi to consider building factories and schools to generate employment for youths.

The Orphanage and Old People’s Home aims to provide a safe space for the vulnerable and foster community engagement. Evangelist Obi expressed gratitude to the Governor for his support and infrastructure development in the State.

The event drew notable attendees, including Senator Osita Izunaso, members of the State House of Assembly, and traditional rulers. Rev. Fr. Paul Obayi praised Obi’s vision for attracting projects to Imo State.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser Media
April 22, 2025.

The United States has announced a move to slap tariffs of up to 3,521 percent on solar panels from Southeast Asia, a move aimed at countering alleged Chinese subsidies and dumping in the sector.

The tariffs on companies from Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam will still need to be ratified at a meeting of the International Trade Commission in June.

The decision, which was unveiled on Monday, comes after anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations filed around a year ago by several US and other solar manufacturers.

Those companies took aim at unfair practices that were said to have weighed on the US domestic solar market, particularly raising concern over Chinese-headquartered companies operating out of the Southeast Asian countries.

While the move came after a year-long investigation, it is said to have followed on the heels of US President Donald Trump launching blistering trade wars through tariffs around the globe.

Trump’s tariffs, which have seen the White House impose eye wateringly high levies before suspending some of them to allow for negotiations, are aimed at reducing US trade imbalances.

According to the statement by the Commerce Department, the new recommended tariffs on solar cells, however, were taking specific aim at “transnational subsidies.”

“In the CVD investigations involving Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, Commerce found that companies in each country were receiving subsidies from the Government of China,” the statement said, referring to countervailing duty probes.

“These are among the first CVD investigations wherein Commerce has made an affirmative finding that companies received transnational subsidies,” the statement said.