Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen has assured Nigerian government that the legal proceedings involving Simon Ekpa will be concluded soon.
Valtonen disclosed this after a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and the foreign ministers of Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and as well as representatives from Norway and Denmark.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, which held in Abuja, Valtonen said Ekpa’s case was being handled through Finland’s judicial system, which operates strictly by the rule of law.
Ekpa, who resides in Finland, had been linked to the violence in the South-East.
The self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra is believed to be behind those referred to ‘unknown gunmen’.
Following his link to insecurity in Nigeria, some Nigerians had called on the Federal Government to repatriate Ekpa back to the country to face prosecution for his actions.
However, Tuggar, after the discussion with the five Nordic delegates, confirmed that the Ekpa issue was a central topic in his discussions with Valtonen.
“It was a priority. There is no way Nigeria would engage with Finland without raising the issue of Simon Ekpa vociferously,” Tuggar said.
Speaking, Valtonen reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to working with Nigeria on the matter.
“If you are referring to a specific person operating in Finland in a less than constructive manner, we have discussed this with the Nigerian authorities.
“Both our judicial systems are collaborating on this matter, and we hope it will soon be resolved.
“Both governments have stressed that the case is not a political issue but rather a judicial one, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the law as the proceedings unfold,” Valtonen stated.
