The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has dismissed reports that the Federal Government has started extradition proceedings against Simon Ekpa, a factional leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement released on Friday by his Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, the AGF described the reports as a misrepresentation of his remarks at a public forum held on Thursday in Abuja.
Fagbemi clarified that the Nigerian government has not filed any formal extradition request against Ekpa, who is currently standing trial in Finland for alleged offences filed by the Finnish government.
“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,” the statement read.
“The report is untrue and a complete departure from what the AGF said at the Stakeholders/Citizen Engagement Forum held on Thursday in Abuja,” it added.
According to the AGF, the Nigerian government is only engaging Finnish authorities to ensure that Ekpa is made to face justice, particularly because the alleged crimes involve cross-border implications.
“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,” the statement clarified.
“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.”
Simon Ekpa, who resides in Finland, has been a controversial figure linked to violent campaigns and sit-at-home orders across parts of Nigeria’s South-East region under the banner of the outlawed IPOB. His actions have drawn widespread criticism and calls for prosecution, especially following rising insecurity and economic disruption caused by the sit-at-home directives.
The Federal Government had previously expressed concerns over his influence on unrest in the region and has been working with international partners to address the situation.
Fagbemi, however, cautioned the media to avoid sensationalism and unverified reporting on sensitive national issues. “The Attorney General urges the media to exercise restraint and accuracy when reporting issues of national and international concern,” the statement concluded.
This clarification comes as tension continues to simmer in parts of the South-East, with residents frequently caught between compliance and resistance to Ekpa’s directives. While some support the government’s efforts to curb IPOB’s activities, others continue to express concerns about the broader implications on civil rights and regional peace.
The case remains under international attention as both Nigeria and Finland watch the legal process unfold.
