Simon Ekpa to Be Extradited, DSS Reveals in Court as Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial Continues

 

A fresh twist emerged in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as the Department of State Services (DSS) revealed plans to extradite Simon Ekpa, one of his most vocal supporters, to Nigeria for prosecution.

The revelation came during a session of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, May 2, where a DSS operative, testifying under the pseudonym PWAAA, disclosed that efforts were underway to bring Ekpa, who is currently based in Finland, back to Nigeria. The operative explained that Ekpa is expected to face charges linked to his alleged support for Kanu’s secessionist activities and the broader Biafran agitation spearheaded by IPOB.

While testifying before the court, the DSS official indicated that Ekpa’s role in backing the IPOB leader has become a matter of serious concern to Nigerian authorities. The witness, however, admitted that his knowledge of individuals supporting Kanu, aside from the defendant himself, was primarily drawn from social media platforms and various media reports. No concrete information or official list of other individuals under prosecution for related offenses was presented.

The cross-examination, conducted by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kanu Agabi, who leads Kanu's defense team, exposed gaps in the prosecution's awareness of the broader context surrounding IPOB’s leadership and support structure. When asked if he knew of other people being prosecuted in connection with the separatist movement, the DSS operative replied in the negative. He also acknowledged that his knowledge about certain claims attributed to Kanu—such as remarks on corruption, youth unemployment, or public apologies to Nigerian authorities and Igbo leaders—was limited, if not entirely absent.

Asked whether Kanu had ever stated that IPOB was a peaceful and voluntary organization, the DSS witness said he could not remember such declarations. The operative further noted that while violence has been a serious issue in Nigeria’s northern and other regions, he could not conclusively link such unrest to self-determination struggles like those attributed to IPOB or its sympathizers.

Regarding Kanu’s 2015 arrest, the DSS officer detailed the circumstances of the operation, stating that the IPOB leader was apprehended at a hotel in Lagos. No weapons were reportedly discovered during the arrest, and the woman found in his company was not found with any incriminating items. According to the testimony, although the items retrieved from the hotel room were not inherently illegal, they were presented as significant due to their possible use in furthering IPOB’s activities.

A detailed inventory of the items recovered was submitted to the court as evidence. Among the exhibits were a variety of electronic devices—laptops, mobile phones, modems, microphones, and audio recorders. Additionally, personal items such as shoes, wristwatches, perfumes, and multiple bank cards were also included. Documents bearing IPOB insignia were recovered, alongside two passports—one Nigerian and the other British—both registered in Kanu’s full name.

The witness clarified that analyzing the purpose of these items or determining whether they constituted a threat was beyond his professional mandate. His duties, he said, were restricted to operational aspects, and he was not responsible for bringing additional witnesses or experts to interpret the materials seized.

One of the more controversial aspects of the testimony was the disclosure that Kanu's statement was taken by the DSS without the presence of his legal counsel. The defense raised concerns about the implications of such an action, hinting at potential violations of the defendant’s rights during the early stages of his detention.

Despite the DSS's claim of working diligently to curb violence and separatist threats across the country, the testimony appeared to reflect a narrow focus on Kanu, with limited information about others who might be engaged in similar or related activities. The government's case, while bolstered by the volume of physical evidence presented, is still shadowed by questions of procedural fairness and the broader context of civil liberties.

The ongoing legal proceedings against Kanu continue to attract national and international attention, especially in light of the complex political, ethnic, and human rights issues surrounding the Biafran movement. The planned extradition of Simon Ekpa—who has been operating from Europe and is widely seen as a prominent voice in IPOB’s continued online campaigns—could mark a new chapter in the government’s strategy to dismantle the group’s influence.

While the court is expected to deliberate further on the admissibility and implications of the evidence submitted, observers remain focused on how the Nigerian judicial system will balance national security concerns with constitutional protections in one of the country’s most contentious trials in recent years.