AGF clarifies Nigerian govt has not commenced move to extradite Ekpa from Finland

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on Friday dismissed reports that the Federal Government has commenced extradition proceedings against a Finland-based factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa.

The AGF made the clarification in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele.

He said the reports misrepresented his remarks at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

Ekpa was arrested last year by Finnish security agents for inciting violence in Nigeria’s South-East.

The statement read: “The attention of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has been drawn to media reports where he was erroneously reported to have said that the federal government had commenced an extradition process against Simon Ekpa.

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“The report is untrue and a complete departure from what the AGF said at the Stakeholders/Citizen Engagement Forum held on Thursday in Abuja.

“Ekpa, a leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is currently standing trial in Finland for charges filed against him by the Finnish government.”

“To set the record straight, what the AGF said during the question and answer session was that the Nigerian government had been engaging with Finnish authorities to ensure that Simon Ekpa is held accountable for his actions.

“He explained that since the crimes committed by Simon Ekpa were cross-border in nature, the Nigerian government eagerly awaits the outcome of the proposed trial in Finland to have an informed decision on the next step to take. “

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