The Senate is seeking collaboration with the Finland government to extradite Simon Ekpa, the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Ekpa gained attention in August 2021 when IPOB called for sit-at-home protests every Monday in the South-East, demanding the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Even though the order was later suspended by the separatist group, Ekpa continued to enforce it, leading to violence and killings in the region.
Senator Osita Izunaso brought a motion to address the enforcement of sit-at-home by unknown gunmen in the South-East and to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu. However, the motion was rejected by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, citing interference in a matter before the court.
The South-East lawmakers expressed concerns about the economic and social consequences of the sit-at-home protests and accused Ekpa of fueling the situation. They requested the Senate to condemn the sit-at-home protests and urged the Federal Government to collaborate with Finland to extradite Ekpa for prosecution. Additionally, they suggested a political solution approach to handle Nnamdi Kanu’s case and called for investigations into the sponsors of the sit-at-home protests.
Some senators voiced their opinions on the matter, with Patrick Ndubueze suggesting that bail could be used to negotiate for peace if Nnamdi Kanu is released. Orji Kalu criticized the South-East governors for not doing enough to address the sit-at-home issue and emphasized the need for a regional solution. Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe shared his past meeting with the Finland ambassador regarding Ekpa, indicating that it requires government-to-government interaction.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, echoed the sentiment that South-East governors need to take more action to end the IPOB sit-at-home protests in the region. He expressed concern that when government officials and civil servants also participate in the sit-at-home, it empowers criminals.
