FEATURES
Olajumoke Orisaguna, a Lagos-based bread vendor who gained prominence in 2016 as Jumoke ‘Onibredi’, is returning to fame as a broadcaster after several years of diminishing visibility.
Naija News recalls that Jumoke Onibredi was discovered by the esteemed photographer, TY Bello, during a photo shoot which went viral at the time.
Jumoke Oniburedi garnered national attention when Ty Bello noticed her during a photo shoot while selling bread on the streets of Lagos, recognizing her potential as a model.
Her narrative of rising from humble beginnings to success became a media phenomenon, leading to her appearance on magazine covers and inspiring numerous Nigerians.
However, her trajectory turned negative four years ago when she experienced a decline in fame, financial stability, and public relevance, having fallen prey to fraud allegedly perpetrated by her former manager.
Jumoke asserted that she was misled by the manager, who misappropriated her earnings from endorsement deals and other business ventures.
She shared this experience during a meet-and-greet event titled The Comeback of Olajumoke (Oni Bredi), organized by the Cardinal Foundation, where she recounted her struggles.
“I really suffered and lost everything. She took me to South Africa twice for a documentary, but I had to pay for our flights and accommodation. When we returned to Nigeria, she only gave me N50,000. I had no money, nothing. I lost everything. I started calling people for food. It was Aunty Azuka and TY Bello who came to my rescue.
“Aunty Azuka paid my rent, furnished a shop for me, and regularly sent me foodstuffs and money to take care of my daughters. It was that bad.
“I have learned my lessons, and I will never leave those who truly mean well to me again,” she shared.
Jumoke Onibredi expressed gratitude to the CEO of Media Room Hub, Azuka Ogujiuba, TY Bello, and Mrs Adedoja Allen, who supported her during those challenging times.
Despite her strained relationship with Ogujiuba, whom her former manager had allegedly alienated her from, Ogujiuba provided financial assistance for food and rent.
“Aunty Azuka and TY Bello really helped me. Whenever I called Azuka for help, she would provide it, even when she didn’t have much—her daughter would step in. TY Bello also assisted me financially. I am so grateful to these two women; they were my saving grace,” Jumoke noted.
To assist Jumoke in reconstructing her life, Ogujiuba reached out to Mrs. Adedoja Allen, the CEO of City FM and the founder of the Cardinal Foundation, which is part of Cardinal Broadcasting, to provide her with a chance in the broadcasting field.
Ogujiuba shared the details of how he engaged the police to apprehend Jumoke’s previous manager, who had committed fraud against her. Unfortunately, the case did not produce any meaningful results, as the manager was released and did not respond to further police summons.
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has reiterated its calls that citizens are suffering as a result of the economic policies of the federal government.
The Secretary General of ACF, Murtala Aliyu, said while they engage state governments in the North on the need to provide good governance, economic policies are made by the federal government.
Aliyu stated this on Friday in an interview with Arise TV.
He noted that ACF is not completely blaming the national government, but the hardship affecting the citizens resulted from the federal government’s policies.
“We’ve made our statements previously. We’re still making our statements today, the persons on the street really complaining. They are suffering. Food is becoming difficult on the table. People are finding difficult to move, even to go to work. These are realities on the ground, but the government has explained, and it’s government’s responsibility to tell us when this will be eased. And so as ACF, we will continue to have government that people are complaining, that people are suffering, they have to know that this is a happening,” he said.
Speaking on ACF‘s engagement with political leaders in the North on the need to provide good governance, Aliyu emphasized the need for the government at all levels to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
“Well, first of all, let me say that we engage the governors at the governor’s forum level. We also engage the governors at the individual level. We also engage the traditional rulers and where there is a responsibility at the sub-national level, we bring their attention to that. We’re not totally blaming the national government for all the wars in the country. Just like the North, any part of the country will have to wake up at sub-national level to do the right thing.
“So the federal government will complement those efforts. But economic policies, are actually defined by government at the center, and if things are going right or wrong, the center should address it. At a micro level, the state governments or the governments at the national level will handle that, and we are talking to them.
“So we’re not saying we’re heaping all the blame on one person or one or one location. No, we’re saying all people at each level should wake up to their responsibility and also be aware that the people at the grassroots are complaining, and so we expect to see the promises government made that changes will come soon, and the circle will come to the people,” Aliyu added.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Cletus Obun, has warned President Bola Tinubu to retrace his steps, especially regarding appointments.
Naija News reports that Obun, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said that Tinubu is being led into committing political suicide by certain people.
Obun expressed displeasure over the reward system in APC, noting it was worse under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari, and Tinubu is acting likewise.
The APC chieftain lamented that members of the party who worked tirelessly during the last election for the emergence of Tinubu as President were not being rewarded accordingly.
He said, “It is a wrong strategy not to reward your own allies. It would surely boomerang. In a developing democracy such as this, it is a brazen affront to loyalty.
“What you are seeing here are genuine agitations. The reward system in the APC is very poor. APC had the worst reward system under Buhari and today we’re seeing the repeat.
“A man works like an elephant and eats like an ant. It’s not correct. I’m sure he [Tinubu] has enough time to retrace his steps on this matter because certain attempts are being made to mislead him into thinking that those who worked for him in 2023 may not be useful to him in 2027, that is a wrong headed political suicidal to ever attempt.
“This direction of not rewarding those who worked, even their prayers alone will affect him. Karma is real.”
The English Premier League has unveiled the official dates for the 2025/26 season in a statement released late Friday.
The new campaign will kick off on Saturday, August 16, 2025, with the final match round slated for Sunday, May 24, 2026, ensuring a thrilling season from start to finish.
In a move designed to prioritise player welfare, the league has made significant changes to the festive period schedule.
The announcement, obtained from the EPL website, titled “Dates for 2025/26 Premier League season confirmed,” emphasises a renewed commitment to player welfare, particularly during the congested festive period.
For the first time, no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours of each other, addressing long-standing concerns about the congested holiday fixture list.
Furthermore, no matches will be held on Christmas Eve in 2025, a decision likely to be welcomed by players and fans alike.
The release read, “The schedule continues to allow more rest time for players over the festive match-round period, with no two rounds taking place within 60 hours of each other.
“This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested Christmas and New Year schedule.”
Key Highlights:
- The season spans 33 weekends and five-midweek match rounds, providing an evenly distributed calendar.
- The 16 August start date guarantees 83 days of rest for players following the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign.
- The May 24 end date ensures the league concludes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period, offering players ample preparation time for the global tournament.
This strategic scheduling, according to the statement, underscores the Premier League’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge while protecting the well-being of its players.
Fans can now mark their calendars as the countdown to another unmissable season begins!
“The 2025/26 season will consist of 33 weekends and five midweek match rounds.
“The start date of August 16 allows for the maximum player rest time available—83 clear days—from the end of the 2024/25 season.
“The season end date of May 24 2026 ensures the Premier League season finishes ahead of the FIFA 2026 World Cup call-up period.
“There will be no fixture on December 24, 2025,” it concluded.
[Punch]
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says 65 percent of Nigerian households use traditional cooking methods.
In its ‘Nigeria General Household Survey-Panel (Wave 5) 2023/2024’ report, the NBS said the three-stone cookstove is the most widespread cooking method used in the country.
“The most common cookstove type used in the country is the three-stone/open fire, with 65.0 percent of households relying on this traditional cooking method,” the report reads.
The NBS said a huge proportion of households (22.6 percent) make use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas.
“Traditional cooking methods (three-stone/open fire) remain dominant in rural areas (78.8 percent) and certain geographical zones like North Central (72.1 percent), North East (82.4 percent), North West (85.7 percent), and South East (61.3 percent),” the bureau said.
“However, there is a noticeable use of modern cooking technologies (LPG/natural gas) in urban areas (49.0 percent) and the South West zone (51.0 percent).”
According to the NBS report, other types of cookstoves, including biomass, kerosene, and electric play a minimal role in the overall cooking landscape.
“When using traditional cookstoves, slightly more than half (51.2 percent) of households in the country use them outdoors, making this the most common location,” the report reads.
The NBS said 37.9 percent of households use such stoves indoors but outside the sleeping area.
According to the agency, only 1.8 percent of households use their stoves in a sleeping area.
“The North East (59.0 percent) and North West (50.5 percent) zones are more inclined towards indoor cooking, while households in North Central (60.7 percent) and all the southern zones predominantly cook outdoors/ in a separate building,” NBS said.
“Cooking outdoors or in a separate building is the prevailing practice in urban (46.2 percent) and rural (52.6 percent) areas.”
The bureau said wood is the most-used cooking fuel in Nigeria, reported by 70.2 percent of households, followed by LPG-cooking gas at 23.2 percent.
“Zonal disparities are significant. The North East and North West zones have the highest shares of households using wood as cooking fuel, at 93.4 percent and 84.8 percent respectively,” the report reads.
“In contrast, the South South and South West zones show a higher use of LPG, with 35.3 percent and 51.7 percent, respectively.”
According to the report, urban households have a stronger reliance on LPG (50.5 percent), while rural households mostly use wood (83.8 percent).
[TheCable]
He Planned Running For Something – Governor Soludo Recalls Last Discussion With Ifeanyi Ubah
AFOLABI
On Friday, November 22, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State recounted his last conversation with the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Ubah, who was Anambra South Senator, died in the United Kingdom, UK, on July 27 at the age of 52 years.
Speaking during the funeral service held for the late Ubah at St. Peter Claver Parish, Umuanukam Otolo, Nnewi, Anambra State, Soludo said death was not part of his discussion with Ubah.
The governor said he, Ubah, and Emeka Offor planned a meeting due to the late lawmaker’s intentions to run for “something.”
Soludo said he was waiting for Offor to set a date for the meeting when he learnt of Ubah’s death.
According to Soludo: “I still remember when we met sometime in May this year, and I asked him that it seems he was nursing an ambition for something and he told me that he also would want to be part of it.
“And he also said that the only way out is for Sir Emeka Offor to convene a meeting at our instance.
“Then later, Emeka Offor also echoed the same thing, and we both agreed, and it was that meeting that we were still waiting for before someone sent me a message about his death.
“I did not believe it, until a senator called to tell me.
“I then called his wife and she confirmed it but that was not what we discussed and agreed on.
“And I ask him, is this what we discussed?”
Aiyedatiwa: Labour Party, NNPP, APGA, 10 Other Parties Back Ondo Gubernatorial Election Results
AFOLABI
Candidates from political parties that participated in the recent Ondo State governorship election have expressed their acceptance of the election results and pledged to support Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in fostering the state’s development.
During a meeting held on Friday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Akure, the state capital, the candidates, along with their party chairmen, affirmed their commitment to collaborate with the governor to build a prosperous Ondo State.
Representatives from 13 political parties, including Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), All People’s Party (APP), African Democratic Party (ADP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), Youth Party (YP), Young People’s Party (YPP), Boot Party (BP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to extend a hand of fellowship to all opposition parties for the collective good of the state.
In response, Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked the candidates and their party leaders for their readiness to support his administration, emphasizing that their cooperation would not be taken for granted.
He reiterated his commitment to inclusive governance, ensuring that no political party would be excluded from contributing to the state’s progress.
The governor called on all stakeholders to join hands in fulfilling the shared responsibility of developing Ondo State, pledging to maintain a government that prioritizes inclusivity and collaboration.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the late Nigerian federal lawmaker, has been buried.
The senator was laid to rest in his hometown in Umuanuka village, Otolo Nnewi in Anambra state on November 22.
The Senator passed away while in the UK on July 27. He was 52 years.
Until his death, he was the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
The businessman-turned-politician would have been 53 on September 3, 2024.
Dignitaries at the funeral included Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state, Peter Obi, Chris Ngige, Olisa Metuh, Senator Osita Izunaso and many others.
See more photos below…
The Edo State government has reported that more than 200 vehicles are currently missing under the administration of former governor Godwin Obaseki.
It had been reported on Thursday that a 12-member committee was set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo to recover all vehicles belonging to the Edo State Government which were said to be in the hand of the immediate past governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki and his aides.
Okpebholo had appointed Kelly Okungbowa to lead the committee as he gave them two weeks to deliver on its mandate and ensure that the government vehicles in private hands are fully recovered and subsequently returned to the state government.
Okungbowa who spoke to journalists after 24 hours said three vehicles including one Hilux van and two Toyota Hiace buses had been recovered.
According to him, in one of the Toyota Hiace buses, the committee recovered some palliatives which was meant to have been shared to Edo people. He added that the palliatives include bags of garri and rice of 10kg and 25kg.
He appealed for more information from members of the public, saying it was the information earlier obtained that led to the recovery of the three vehicles.
Okungbowa also assured whistleblowers that a handsome reward awaits them provided their information is correct and verifiable.
He said; "Yesterday, we were inaugurated, we promised to follow the law to carry out the mandate of Mr Governor which is to recover all missing government vehicles in private hands. We are glad to inform the people of Edo State that we have recorded success within 24 hours of our inauguration.
'I am glad to announce to you that we have recovered one Hilux and two Toyota Hiace buses in private custody. You see that within 24 hours that we have made success and recovered some vehicles.
"We assure Edo people and the State Government that we are going to do the job to the best of our ability. We will make sure we recover all the stolen vehicles.
"Reports reaching us is that we have over 200 government vehicles missing. We appeal for more information as the whistleblowers will be handsomely rewarded.
"This is not private property but the property of Edo citizens and it is not good for a private individual to steal government property. These vehicles were recovered from one person's house. Palliatives were recovered from the Toyota Hiace bus as some garri and bags of rice where kept in the bus.
"We are just wondering how many will be in the Houses of former government officials like the Chief of Staff, SSG and so-called Deputy Governor which is not known by law.
"We appeal to former government officials and other citizens holding back government vehicles to return the vehicles within 48 hours. Information is key as these three vehicles recovered this morning was as a result of information.
"We need more information as we are moving to other places where we have been informed that government vehicles are parked. There have not been resistance so far because security agencies are backing our operations."
The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed the video making the rounds in social media that its leadership was partnering with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary, LP said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
According to Ifoh, the party has on several occasions debunked the allegations that it has an understanding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to collaborate in the 2027 general election.
“As a matter of fact, the Labour Party is the most visible opposition party as at today and our National Chairman, Barrister Abure is the leading voice in the opposition camp, and has been most critical of the present government.
‘”After the 2023 general election, it continued to interrogate the system’s failure and has been very visible playing the role of the opposition, continuously critiquing the policies, proffering solutions and advising the government.
“Recently, the party under the able leadership of Mr Julius Abure came up with series of programmes, including the creation of the Electoral Reform Committee.
“With it we hope to enthrone credible, fair, and transparent processes, leading to the selection of leadership in the country, Labour Party being a major victim in the 2023 general election,” he stated.
Ifoh said the party had created a Political Education Committee for reorienting citizens on the need to have a positive behavioral change towards politics in Nigeria.
He also said the party had become the first party in Nigeria to attempt to deepen participatory democracy by the introduction of e-membership registration with thousands of people already subscribing.
”All these efforts to reposition the party, for someone to be demarketing such a party in such an unguarded and callous manner, is most ridiculous and unfortunate.
“We are, therefore. challenging Deji Adeyanju and any other person to come up with facts and proofs that either the party leadership or Mr. Abure intends to work for President Bola Tinubu or his party, the APC in the 2027.
” Adeyanju’s assertion which is presently trending globally has caused the Labour Party enormous harm and we are demanding that he refrains from causing the party further harms.
“As a political party, we view Deji Adeyanju’s now viral comments as a criminal defamation, a clearly motivated ploy to ridicule our hard earned reputation.
“We are therefore, calling on Mr Adeyanju to without delay provide facts and evidences to prove that Labour Party has been ‘bought’ over by President Tinubu.
“He also has a choice to withdraw his ill assertions and apologize to the leadership and millions of members of Labour Party for the great harm he has caused the party,” he stated.
More...
Canada-based Sunday Adebehinje has revealed what it cost him to relocate abroad. Although the sum, $28,000 (nearly N50 million) is huge, “It’s worth it,” he told Vanguard.
Adebehinje’s disposition fuels the optimism that has seen thousands of Nigerians of all ages and profession relocate abroad in the increasingly infective ‘japa syndrome’.
‘They don’t love Nigeria’
The effects of this trend on Nigeria also increase in direct proportion.
A few days ago, the Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, warned that the increasing wave of emigration of Nigerians abroad, otherwise called japa syndrome, posed serious challenge to the nation’s socio-economic development.
The Vice-Chancellor challenged Nigerian sociologists and academics to be at the forefront of strategic efforts to reverse the exodus of youths and other citizens from the country.
His words: “Let’s stop deceiving ourselves. If they (foreign countries) love us, they won’t be taking our best brains away.”
Read the full story HERE.
There’s boredom and challenging weather, but… – Adebehinje
Let’s get back to Canada-based Sunday Adebehinje.
He told Vanguard: “I left Nigeria for Canada in 2023. Although I’m married, I didn’t relocate with my family.”
Asked how much it cost him to japa to Canada, Samuel said: “It cost me $28,000. And education brought me here.”
Although the amount is relatively high (almost N50 million), Sunday said: “It’s worth it.”
He was an architect in Nigeria. However, in Canada, he’s a machine operator alongside his educational pursuits.
According to Sunday, the only challenges for him are boredom and the weather. Inspite of these challenges, he cherishes the exposure provided by the country. Also, he said, there’s the opportunity to meet people and network.
He looks forward to visiting his family here in Nigeria.
Tellingly, he would “definitely help” others to Japa to Canada if he has the means.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has revealed that the Federal Government is falling short of its commitment to supply crude oil under the naira-for-crude initiative.
According to Dangote Industries Limited Vice President, Devakumar Edwin, the refinery has received only a fraction of the agreed volume of crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which is insufficient to boost refined product output.
Edwin disclosed in a Reuters report that the NNPCL had pledged to supply at least 385,000 barrels per day (bpd) since the program’s launch in October.
However, the deliveries have been significantly below that target.
“We need 650,000 bpd. NNPCL agreed to give a minimum of 385,000 bpd, but they are not even delivering that,” he stated.
The naira-for-crude initiative, introduced in July, was intended to ease foreign currency pressures by allowing local refineries to purchase crude oil in naira.
Despite this arrangement, industry insiders told The PUNCH that while four crude oil shipments have been delivered to the Dangote refinery, further deliveries are still pending.
Less than two months into the program, the refinery is reportedly considering alternative crude supply options, including imports from the United States.
On Wednesday, the facility procured two million barrels of US WTI Midland crude—the first such purchase since August—highlighting its reliance on international markets amid domestic supply challenges.
The $20 billion refinery in Lekki, which aims to compete with European facilities, is operating below its full capacity of 425,000 bpd and targets 85% capacity by year-end.
Edwin described the crude deliveries from NNPCL as “peanuts,” underscoring the gap between the refinery’s needs and available resources.
The acting Executive Director of the Crude Oil Refinery-Owners Association of Nigeria, Mathins Obaze, confirmed that Dangote is the sole refinery benefitting from the naira-for-crude deal among the eight operational refineries in the country.
However, Obaze noted that most members are still unable to access crude under the initiative and are in discussions with the government for a resolution.
The reasons behind the crude supply shortfall remain unclear, with both the NNPCL and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) declining to comment on the matter.
Dangote had previously urged NUPRC to enforce regulations mandating oil producers to prioritize local refineries.
Meanwhile, the NNPCL is pursuing new international markets for its crude oil.
The company recently sought term customers in London for its newly introduced Utapate crude oil grade, reflecting its strategy to explore global opportunities despite domestic supply issues.
The Celestial Church of Christ, Acts of Apostle Parish in Ketu, Alapere, Lagos, is embroiled in a major crisis following a N5 million donation by the church authorities.
The conflict reportedly escalated during a Sunday service when Muyiwa Oluponna, claiming to be the son of the church’s founder, disrupted the service in a bid to assert himself as the church’s shepherd.
Witnesses said Oluponna interrupted Acting Shepherd Adetayo Adetola mid-sermon, seizing the microphone and declaring his right to deliver sermons every second Sunday of the month. A viral video of the incident shows heated arguments between Oluponna and church members.
In response, the church’s task force, led by Akinbode Adjovi, shut down the parish for 40 days to restore order.
Adetola recounted the disruption, alleging that Oluponna demanded the N5m earmarked for church renovations and clergy housing be handed over to his family.
“That Sunday, our shepherd was not around and I was put in charge of the church. I was also assigned to give the sermon. We started the service and everything was going well until he (Oluponna) snatched the microphone from me, demanding to speak.
“I respected him and gave him the microphone because I knew him as a family member of the church founder. Immediately he collected the microphone, he said the N5m given to the church by the headquarters for renovation does not belong to the church but to the family of Oluponna who founded the church.
“He also demanded that money be given to the family, insisting that the church belongs to the family and not the community or the CCC authorities.
“He also demanded that he be made the church shepherd and be allowed to give sermons every second Sunday of the month. We all kept quiet until he finished.
“After that, I took over to deliver the sermon, but to everybody’s surprise, he came back and snatched another microphone from one of the choristers and came to the pulpit to give the sermon. That was when we all resisted him”, Adetola said.
When Oluponna attempted to deliver a sermon, tensions peaked, leading to resistance from church members.
Shepherd Emmanuel Iperepolu also accused Oluponna of repeated threats and confrontations, which he believes escalated after the donation was announced.
“He has been causing trouble and demanding the money, claiming the church belongs to his family. The authorities and police are now involved,” Iperepolu stated.
Kayode Ajala, Head of Media and Publicity for the CCC, confirmed the temporary closure of the church to prevent further violence.
“The church is a house of God but when things are going wrong and people’s lives are being threatened we have to do something.
“The church authorities cannot fold their arms and allow people to get killed; we have to intervene and this is why we shut down the church temporarily, while investigation is going on.
“All those involved in the conflict are being talked to and resolution is going on and once all that is done, the church will be reopened,” Ajala said,” Ajala said.
Oluponna declined to comment on the allegations, stating that the matter remains between the family and the church.
Some Nigerians in Finland are in panic following the arrest and detention of separatist leader, Simon Ekpa.
Ekpa is one of the leaders of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.
According to sources, Nigerians in the European country are afraid of commenting on the arrest of the suspect over fear of being attacked.
A Nigerian community leader, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, noted that the Igbo community was “gravely affected” by the violent acts of the secessionist group.
He said, “Everyone is afraid to speak about Ekpa’s arrest. The key people in Finland and the Igbo community at large are not ready to lend their voices either.”
The source noted that some persons were being accused of reporting Ekpa to the police and were being threatened.
“A particular person they accused now, they’re after him. This happened before he (Ekpa) was even remanded—what will happen when they imprison him? Everyone is afraid. These people are very deadly,” the source said.
Another resident, who also asked not to be identified, said there was tension among Nigerians in the country.
“People don’t want to speak about Ekpa for fear of being hunted by his followers. We believe that they will hunt whoever comes out to talk about their leader. But the Finnish Government is trying to get rid of the situation.”
Ekpa’s arrest
Ekpa was arrested alongside four others on Thursday by Finnish authorities on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.
Checks by Saturday PUNCH revealed that his X handle (@simon_ekpa) had been inactive for four days.
Ekpa, who describes himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is accused of using social media to promote violent activities in southeastern Nigeria, including attacks on civilians and the authorities.
He was first arrested in February 2023 for inciting comments and sit-at-home orders to the people of the South-East.
The suspect gained international notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which were enforced through violent means, contributing to attacks on residents.
Before his arrest, Ekpa had attracted global attention, with thousands of Nigerians worldwide petitioning the Finnish and Nigerian governments, as well as the European Union, to take action against his disruptive activities.
In response, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, urging Finland to cooperate in addressing Ekpa’s threats.
A local publication in Finland, Yle noted that the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation acted on the reports by detaining Ekpa and later releasing him.
The Finnish police also confirmed that Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, and four of his accomplices were arrested as part of an international investigation.
A report stated that the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered Ekpa’s remand in prison, “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
The police stated that the main suspect, Ekpa, was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while four unnamed accomplices were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime.”
A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed via email to Saturday PUNCH that further details about the suspects couldn’t be disclosed.
Laaksonen explained that “NBI Finland cannot confirm the name of the suspect(s). The proceedings in the district court and contents of the decisions are classified at this point of the investigation,” adding, “The Ministry of Justice is the competent authority regarding extraditions.”
Hunt for sponsors
Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have begun to search for suspected sponsors of the suspect, particularly those financing his alleged terror activities from the United States.
An X user, @Burmese_Tyga_, stated that those sponsoring him should be identified and brought to book.
He said, “If Simon Ekpa is indicted for terrorism in Finland and you know anybody in the US who has donated to him, pls forward name and address to me. I’ll make a comprehensive list I’m sending to the Department of State as sponsors of terrorism.
“Someone has to pay for the lives wasted and blood spilled in Igbo land. Destroying your lives here in the US is the least we can do.”
Several names were thrown up under the tweet, as some of those identified denied having any relationship with him.
But a user, @MaaziFaisal, said the Finnish Government might check his financial flow.
“And those in Diaspora and at home funding his terrorism act will be brought to book,” he added.
Detention excites IPOB, MASSOB indifferent
The spokesman for IPOB, Emma Powerful, said people in the South-East were happy with the arrest of the suspect, adding that he had been responsible for the many travails in the region.
He said, “There was no rest; people could not sleep with two eyes closed, people cannot go to another village for visitation because of what he is doing with his criminal gang.
“Except the politicians that are supporting him that will not be happy with what is happening to him. Now he has said that he is not a prime minister of Biafra and that he is an ordinary member. He is not our member.
“If they (government) feel that they can extradite him, better. If they feel like bringing him for trial in Nigeria, it is okay. But they know those sponsoring him.”
But the spokesperson for the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, Samuel Edeson, said the group had commenced consultation on Ekpa’s arrest.
Edeson said, “We are still studying the events and circumstances surrounding the arrest. We will consult other groups and do the needful when we are done.”
Nigeria monitors situation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Nigerian government would continue to track the progress of Ekpa’s case, emphasising the importance of addressing the influence of IPOB and transnational actors on the country’s national security.
The spokesperson for the ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in a statement on Friday, confirmed the arrest of Ekpa on Thursday.
“He was charged with inciting terrorism and promoting violence. The Finnish District Court of Päijät-Häme ruled to detain him on probable cause for publicly inciting crimes with terrorist intent.
“The ministry wishes to affirm that the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB and neutralising the influence of transnational actors on our national security. The ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” the statement said.
Extradition process
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, on Thursday, suggested that Ekpa, who is the leader of the Eastern Security Network, the paramilitary wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, would be extradited to Nigeria to face criminal charges.
However, experts have expressed concerns about the challenges involved in the process, highlighting significant legal and diplomatic hurdles.
Some argue that Finland and Nigeria do not have an extradition treaty, which may create a problem for Ekpa to face charges for the alleged crime in Nigeria.
However, a former Nigerian envoy, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said the decision to extradite would ultimately depend on the nature of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.
He said even in the absence of a direct extradition treaty, multilateral agreements could play a role.
“It is possible that countries may extradite individuals based on multilateral agreements, even if there is no direct treaty between them,” he added.
He also highlighted the role of international law, noting that as a sovereign nation, Nigeria’s interests would be protected under the United Nations framework.
“No member of the United Nations would support actions that threaten the sovereignty of another member nation unless there is a direct bilateral dispute,” Farounbi added.
The ex-envoy also emphasised that Finland would follow due process and the rule of law in any extradition decision, and that the court’s ruling would be based on Finland’s legal framework, not Nigeria’s.
“If Simon Ekpa’s actions are deemed to threaten Finland’s diplomatic interests, the court could rule against extradition based on Finnish law,” he said.