The Finnish government has initiated legal proceedings in response to a formal complaint from Nigeria concerning Simon Ekpa, a dual Nigerian-Finnish citizen.
This was revealed by Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Valtonen confirmed that Ekpa’s case is currently under judicial review in Finland. “We have engaged in discussions with Nigerian authorities, and the case is now being handled within our legal system,” Valtonen stated.
Although she confirmed the issue was discussed during her meeting with Nigerian officials, Valtonen refrained from providing specific details about the legal process.
For several years, the Nigerian government has urged Finland and the European Union to take decisive action against Ekpa, whose inflammatory social media activities have been linked to violence and instability in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Valtonen, accompanied by top officials from other Nordic countries, arrived in Nigeria on Monday for a series of discussions centered on peace, security, and enhancing trade and investment ties with Nigeria. The delegation included Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Tobias Billström; Iceland’s Foreign Minister, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir; Norway’s State Secretary for International Development, Bjørg Sandkjær; and Denmark’s Under Secretary for Foreign Policy, Eva Marie Frida Barløse.
The Nordic ministers met with Nigerian government representatives and officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday. Their talks covered a range of topics, including security, economic cooperation, education, trade, investments, and the rule of law.
Valtonen also addressed the strain Ekpa’s case has placed on Finland’s diplomatic relations with Nigeria. Although she did not directly name Ekpa, her comments clearly referred to the agitator whose activities have been a point of contention between the two nations.
Emphasizing Finland’s commitment to the rule of law, Valtonen assured that Ekpa’s case would be handled judicially rather than politically. “Finland adheres strictly to the rule of law,” she noted. “This matter will be resolved by our judicial system, in collaboration with Nigeria’s, and we aim to reach a conclusion soon.”
