In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful condemned the association between Ekpa and the organization, emphasizing that Ekpa has never held any position within IPOB or its security arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). 

“The world must know that Simon Ekpa has never held any position in IPOB or ESN. He created his own contraptions, such as the so-called ‘Biafra Government in Exile’ and ‘Biafra Liberation Army,’ which IPOB has long repudiated,” Powerful stated.

The announcement comes hours after the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland sentenced Ekpa to six years in prison for multiple offenses, including participation in a terrorist organization, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act. 

The court ordered Ekpa to remain in custody pending further proceedings.IPOB accused the Nigerian government of exploiting Ekpa’s conviction to undermine Kanu’s ongoing trial in Abuja. 

Kanu, IPOB’s detained leader, is facing charges of treasonable felony, and a ruling on his no-case submission is scheduled for October 10, 2025. 

The group described the delays in Kanu’s case as “judicial hostage-taking” and alleged that linking Ekpa to IPOB is a deliberate ploy to compromise the trial’s fairness.

Powerful reiterated IPOB’s commitment to non-violent self-determination, calling on the European Union, Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Nations to intervene. 

“IPOB remains a peaceful movement pursuing the right to self-determination as enshrined in international law. 

We urge these bodies to see through the Nigerian government’s manipulations,” the statement added.