According to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the Federal Government is yet to commence the extradition process for Simon Ekpa.
The AGF made the disclosure on Friday through a statement from his Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele.
In the statement, the AGF emphasized that the news in circulation about how the FG is in negotiation to extradite the factional Biafra leader from Finland is false. He stated that the news dispersed as a misconception from a statement he issued on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
As revealed, the AGF only disclosed that the federal government only held talks with the Finnish authorities to bring Ekpa to books for his actions. He narrated how he upheld during a question and answer session that the government is only speaking with its Finland counterpart to make Simon Ekpa accountable for his actions.
He added that the crimes of the Biafra factional leader were cross-border in nature, hence compelling the Nigerian government to anticipate the verdict of the lawsuit. By that, Fagbemi added that the government will only be able to take proper steps at the end of the trial.
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He went on to warn that the media should be careful in reporting the issue and avoid giving misleading stories.
Finland authorities held Simon Ekpa in prison for terrorism-related charges
Currently, Simon Ekpa and four others are in custody in Finland for terrorism-related allegations. The Finnish citizen of Nigerian ancestry is facing allegations including terrorism financing, incitement to violence and many others.
According to Finland police, the Biafra agitator uses social media to create huge unrest in the South East region of Nigeria. Furthermore, local enforcement agencies in Finland underline how the activities of the agitator have led to a sit-at-home order and rising tension in the South East.
As a result of this uprising, the region has lost more than N4 trillion over the last few years, while fueling insecurity. Thearrest emanated as result of a broader investigation into the activities of the leader of the proscribed group.