A prominent pro-Biafran activist, Simon Ekpa, remains detained in Finland over the Christmas period due to Finnish legal procedures that do not allow bail for terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa, along with four others, was apprehended on allegations of inciting violence and financing terrorism through social media, specifically targeting Nigeria's South-East region. His trial is scheduled for May 2025.
Despite Ekpa's arrest, his supporters convened in Lahti, Finland, to declare the formation of the "United States of Biafra." This declaration, however, has been met with skepticism and challenges, particularly following Ekpa's detention.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have distanced themselves from the event, with their spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stating, "IPOB has no involvement in any conference. Those people (Ekpa’s faction) are criminals supporting illegal activities to destroy our land."
The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) expressed conditional support, noting they would celebrate if IPOB's efforts to realize Biafra were successful. However, the British government has reportedly refused to back Biafra's independence, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
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