At the heels of revelations from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, accusing certain persons of fomenting hostilities in the South East, Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), in collaboration with Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI) and other front line Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately commence extradition proceedings against Mr Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government in Exile.
In a letter dated 26th March 2024, referenced; PRES/FRN/SH/RUN/01/2 and addressed to the President and Commander of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and signed by duo of Amb. Solomon Adodo and Mallam Suleiman Musa; Convener and President of RUN and EUYI respectively, a copy of which was spotted by our correspondent, the group berated the lack of commitment on the part of the federal government in expediting the extradition of Mr. Simon Ekpa despite his numerous atrocities.
According to the letter, “we have noted with patriotic pains the delay by the Nigerian Government to commence extradition proceedings against Mr. Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE) despite the enormity of the Atrocious act he has committed including the notorious sit-at-home which has dramatically affected not just the economy of the South East but Nigeria as a whole.The non-committal attitude of the Nigeria Government towards bringing him to face Justice has in no small measure emboldened him to continue to incite innocent youth against the Nigeria state.
“It should not escape the keen attention of Mr. President that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu opened up a critical security information while granting interviews to the Media at the Court premises last week to the effect that certain individuals are willfully inciting the violence in the Southeast and profiting from same. No other individual fits this description more than Mr. Simon Ekpa.
“As patriotic citizens interested in a united Nigeria, we are grossly taken aback by lack of interest of the authorities concern to initiate the requisite process that will bring about his legal rendition to Nigeria. We are by this communication urging you – Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Attorney General of the Federation and the entire intelligence Community to initiate the process for Simon Ekpa’s arrest and consequent extradition to Nigeria to face trial”.
While urging the Attorney General to quickly approach the courts for a warrant of arrest, the CSOs reminded the federal government that, “extradition as a process is not governed by any international treaty regime or overseen by the United Nations. It typically involves a treaty between two states since extradition treaty is a matter of comity rather than because of a legal obligation.
“Let the Nigeria State reach out to the Finland Government where Ekpa has been hiding to perpetrate his atrocities to perfect the process for the extradition of his to Nigeria to face trails. We are, therefore, calling on Nigerian Government to initiate extradition treaty with Finland Government to enable the successful extradition of Simon Ekpa whose activities have caused untold hardship and colossal loss of lives, to face trial in Nigeria”.
The rights group finally urged the federal government to extradite and prosecute Simon Ekpa to serve as a deterrent to other criminals as well as to convince Nigerians of the determination of this current administration to fight crime and all forms of illegality in the country.
“Simon Ekpa must be used as a test case to serve as deterrent to others and to assert in clears terms that the current government under President Tinubu will give no room to the enemies of the Nigerian State. He must not be treated as if he is above the law. The impunity and lawlessness with which he has been conducting himself must be met with reasonable sanctions. The Nigerian Government should quickly collaborate with the Finnish Government to ensure Simon Ekpa is rendered to Nigeria and Justice is served timeously on this unscrupulous peddler of war and disunity in Nigeria”, the letter concluded.
