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IPOB lawyer blames Igbo leaders’ silence for Ekpa’s atrocities in South-East

Published

4 months ago

September 3, 2025

A human rights lawyer and counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has said that the recent conviction and sentencing of Simon Ekpa by the Paijat-Hame District Court in Finland has once again exposed the strange blood and devastation flowing through the South-East region.

In a press statement released on Wednesday, Ejiofor blamed Igbo leaders and the political class in the region for their silence since Ekpa was convicted, saying their “silence or covert association gave oxygen to Ekpa’s fire” of unleashing atrocities in the region.

He described Ekpa as “a serial fraudster masquerading as a liberator”, whose actions have led the South-East to bleed profusely from the devastation and carnage unleashed by him and his foot soldiers.

He titled the press statement, ‘Strange blood in Ala-Igbo, when the pen becomes deadlier than the sword’, the lawyer lamented after every bloody outing by his foot soldiers. Ekpa mounted his online pulpit not to console or condemn, but to celebrate each atrocity.

According to him, for years the South-East region has bled profusely from the devastation and carnage unleashed by Ekpa and his foot soldiers, adding that no family, clan or kindred has been spared.

The statement read in part, “The recent conviction and sentencing of Simon Ekpa, a serial fraudster masquerading as a liberator, by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on 1 September 2025, has once again torn the veil and exposed the strange blood flowing through parts of Ala-Igbo.

“While some carried out atrocities with machetes and guns, others, perhaps more dangerous, have inflicted a worse sacrilege with their tongues and keyboards: the promoters, the apologists, the social-media enablers who have glorified crime and cloaked terrorism in the false garment of agitation.

“Our political class is no less complicit. Many so-called leaders, by their silence or covert association, have given oxygen to Ekpa’s fire. Tell me: how many Igbo politicians have publicly spoken about his conviction? Their lips are sealed; their consciences bought by cowardice, complicity or convenience. But that, perhaps, is a tale for another day.

“Still, the central question remains: for how long shall Ndi Igbo live under the tyranny of fear? How many more mothers must wail before our elites rise to their responsibility? How many graves shall be dug before truth is spoken with courage? Evil thrives where good men keep silent, and today’s silence will be tomorrow’s complicity.

“Permit me to remind you: I personally took Simon Ekpa to court in Nigeria to challenge his falsehoods and defamatory crusade. The case subsists.

He was duly served with originating processes; yet, as is his character, he chose lies, deception and manipulation to mislead his gullible followers, including those who should know better.

“What deepens the wound is that, after every bloody outing, Ekpa mounted his online pulpit not to console or condemn, but to celebrate. He glorified the fear his agents sowed, boasted of their ‘successes’, and urged yet more terror. Today, his cheerleaders online clap for him and defend the indefensible, even when he posts grisly evidence of executions and barbarism on Igbo soil. Can such horrors ever find a place in a genuine agitation for freedom?”

He insisted that IPOB’s Directorate of State has publicly and repeatedly denounced Ekpa, distanced the global peaceful movement from his acts, and made clear that his conduct was not theirs.

He said a massive protest was organised, supervised, and carried out in Finland by the Directorate of State, adding that a strongly worded petition was also submitted to the Finnish Government, detailing the heinous activities of Simon Ekpa and affirming that he has no affiliation whatsoever with the peaceful global movement, and investigations were opened.

“Ndi Igbo in Finland faced scrutiny over his activities. Yet some among us shamelessly ignore these facts, preferring instead to elevate Simon’s lies above truth and reason.

“I will never lend my voice to fraud, nor will I keep silent while impostors deceive our people with poisonous gospel under the guise of liberation.

“Let it be clearly stated that the struggle for Biafra is divinely ordained; no mortal can quench that flame. The right of indigenous peoples to self-determination is recognised under international law, and indeed enshrined within Nigerian law. That right is sacrosanct and inalienable. But the method matters. A just cause cannot be pursued with unjust means.

“Igbo land has lost thousands of promising youths because of false prophets preaching violence. Yes, leadership failure in Nigeria created fertile ground for vulnerability, but murder, kidnapping and terror can never be the balm for our pain. They are crimes, condemned both before God and before man.

“To those who dance to Simon’s drumbeat online, let me sound a solemn warning: the same fire you fan today may consume you tomorrow. Many before you have already fallen victim to this evil pattern. It is only a matter of time.

“The struggle must be purified. The methodology must be interrogated. The character of those who lead must be weighed. And the blood of the innocent must never again be shed in the name of freedom.

“For years, the South-East region has bled profusely from the devastation and carnage unleashed by Ekpa and his foot soldiers. No family, clan or kindred has been spared. Nearly every household has a story, a brother butchered, a sister shot, a mother abducted, a friend or even a distant relative gruesomely murdered. The rivers of blood that have flowed across our land are not abstract tales; they are personal tragedies etched into the memories of Ndi Igbo,” the statement concluded.

Earlier, the Federal Government of Nigeria had indicated it may seek the repatriation of Simon Ekpa following his six-year prison sentence in Finland for terrorism-related offences.

Ekpa charges include participation in a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit terrorist crimes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.

The court found that between August 2021 and November 2024, Ekpa sought to promote the independence of the Biafra region through illegal means, using social media to gain influence and playing a key role in founding armed separatist groups designated as terrorist organisations.

The trial spanned 12 sessions, with the verdict delivered unanimously by three judges.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Monday, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said the government would “assess the situation and take decisions in the best interest of the country” regarding Ekpa’s repatriation.

Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) also stated that further steps would be taken once the judgment is officially reviewed. Ekpa denied all charges against him.

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News

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Fire razes part of Ogun free trade zone, Igbesa

Published

10 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

A fire outbreak has occurred at the mattress section of the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, on Sunday.

It was gathered that the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park.

The incident has reportedly caused chaos and fear among students living around the Obanla axis of the area.

In a video obtained by our correspondent, students were seen running out of their hostels as the thick smoke covered the sky.

An eyewitness, Kuwhede Vincent, a student of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, OGITECH, Igbesa, disclosed that there was a loud noise followed by smoke and fire.

Vincent said, “ It started around 8 am in the morning, we first saw smoke then fire coming from the company.

“The company is very close to my hostel but I don’t think any hostel was affected. We just carried our bag because we don’t know what can happen next”.

He noted that the fire service were on ground to curtail the fire.

Reacting to the incident, President of the Student Union Government in OGITECH, Ilo Fadilu Temitope, in a statement signed by its secretary, Moses Josephine and PRO Segbetin Sunday, and made available to called for calm among students, urging them to be vigilant, and adhere strictly to safety measures.

Part of the statement reads, “The attention of the Students’ Union Government has been drawn to information reaching us regarding a fire outbreak at the Ogun–Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Igbesa, which is in close proximity to some student hostels around the Obanla axis.

“While relevant authorities are reportedly responding to the situation, the Students’ Union deems it necessary to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students.

“In view of this, students especially those residing around Obanla axis and its environs are hereby advised to remain calm but vigilant, and to strictly observe the following safety measures: Avoid unnecessary movement towards the affected area or fire scene, stay indoors where it is safe to do so and keep doors and windows closed if there is smoke in the environment, switch off electrical appliances and gas sources as a precaution.”

As of the time of filing this report, there has not been any official statement on the cause of the incident.

When contacted by our correspondent, the Commissioner of the State’s Ministry of Environment, Ola Oresanya said, “Thanks for the information, I will work on it immediately.”

Many houses affected as fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone pic.twitter.com/pYIjbLwGhJ

— Temitope Hassan (@temihat) January 11, 2026

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Demolition notice: Ogun communities cry out, call for Gov Abiodun’s intervention

Published

10 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

About 15 communities in the Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have called for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun over alleged plot to demolish their villages and acquire their land.

The communities include Itori Mogan, Laaki, Jaguna, Ogunu, Paashi, Kumapayi, and Abule Odo of Ijemoland among others.

According to the villagers, the community which is over 300 years was excised by former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s administration.

It was gathered that the state government, through the its Planning and Development Permit Authority, Abeokuta Metro Zonal Planning Office, served a demolition notice with service number 00047932 on the occupiers of Itori Mogan village on Friday, accusing them of contravening the Land Use Act of Ogun State for residing in Hillcrest Estate.

In the demolition notice dated January 9, 2026, the government gave the occupiers three days deadline to vacate the affected villages that fell within its acquisition.

Expressing their displeasure on Saturday, the Baale of Ogunro, Chief Olakunle Bodunde, speaking on behalf of the villages marked for demolition, lamented that the present administration is bent on taking the remaining part of the community for an estate development, while rendering members of the community homeless.

He noted that the matter was in court and despite several meetings with the government, a demolition notice was pasted on their buildings.

He said, “We have taken significant steps to address this issue. We had meetings with the government, and now the matter is in court.

“We have served them, and the government has been notified, but they are not showing up in court, and now they have come to paste demolition notices on our buildings.

“We want things to be done with due process. The court has not made a pronouncement yet.”

Also speaking, Chief Oludare Salako, the Baale of Itori Mogan, said the communities have different ancestral gods which according to him cannot be relocated, saying that forceful eviction could spell danger.

He appealed to the state governor to intervene, expressing the belief that he may not be aware of the incident.

“We want Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene, as we believe he may not be aware of these alleged land grabbers in his government. We want him to look critically into the matter and stop their actions,” Salako added.

The Aro of Egbaland and Oluwo of Ijemo, High Chief Oluyinka Kufile, urged the villagers to engage in dialogue with the government and be hopeful.

“If you have a right, no government will stop you from exercising your right. So my advice is to dialogue.

“We have signed pacts with the present government on some particular land and villages. Go there, visit the office, and make inquiries. Why again are they trying to take back the land,” he said.

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News

Full List Of Countries Nigerians Travel To Without Visa

Published

10 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian passport holders can now travel to 45 countries worldwide without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the latest update from Visaindex.

The development significantly eases international travel for Nigerians, providing broader options for tourism, business, education and family visits.

Of the 45 destinations, 27 countries allow visa-free entry for Nigerian citizens, while the remaining operate visa-on-arrival or Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) regimes. Entry conditions vary by country, but the update signals an expansion of global mobility opportunities for Nigerians.

Several African nations have adopted open-border policies aimed at boosting regional integration, trade and tourism.

The Gambia – Since 2019, the country has declared itself a visa-free zone for all African travellers, extending the policy to Commonwealth nations, the European Union, and select Baltic states.

Benin – Inspired by Rwanda, Benin lifted visa restrictions for all Africans in 2019, strengthening its position as a commercial and transit hub in West Africa.

Kenya – In October 2023, President William Ruto announced the removal of visa requirements for all African visitors to enhance trade, tourism and continental connectivity.

Rwanda – Since November 2023, Rwanda has granted visa-free entry to all Africans without fees, reinforcing its reputation as a leading tourism and conference destination.

Ghana – Ghana recently joined the visa-free league for Africans, a move expected to attract investors, tourists and business travellers as it positions itself as a regional hub.

Other Visa-Free Or Easy-Access Destinations

Nigerian passport holders can also access the following countries either visa-free, via visa-on-arrival, or through eTA arrangements:

Barbados

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Chad

Cook Islands

Côte d’Ivoire

Dominica

Fiji

Guinea