Simon Ekpa is not our member – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has distanced itself from the self acclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE) Simon Ekpa, who was arrested alongside four others by the government of Finland over terror-related activities on Thursday, November 21.

Finnish Police said Ekpa was arrested “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent”, while four others were arrested “for financing a terrorist crime”.

 “The detention demands are related to the preliminary investigation, in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.”

The statement quoted the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen from the Central Crime Police as saying that “the man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels. Four other persons are suspected of financing the activity above. All five suspects of the crime have been arrested at the beginning of the week. International cooperation has been carried out during the preliminary investigation,” the statement added

Reacting to his arrest, IPOB in a statement released by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, on Friday, November 21, accused Ekpa of recruiting violent criminals to destabilize the South East Region.

Emma noted that the infamous BGIE led by Simon Ekpa created a violent group known as the Biafra Liberation Army.

IPOB however disowned him noting that Ekpa is never a registered member of IPOB.

Read the statement below:

“The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been drawn to the news of the arrest and subsequent claim by the infamous Prime Minister of Biafra Government in Exile (BRGIE) Simon Ekpa of being an IPOB member. To set the records and facts straight, Simon Ekpa has never been a member of the global IPOB family movement.

Contrary to the deliberate and malicious misinformation from the Neo colonialist news agency, the BBC, that Simon Ekpa is an IPOB leader. Simon Ekpa has never and is not an IPOB member, let alone being a leader in IPOB. IPOB has some family units in Finland, and Simon Ekpa is not a registered member of any IPOB unit in Finland or any other IPOB unit globally. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu established IPOB as a peaceful movement to seek Biafra Independence via a supervised UN referendum. IPOB is a peaceful global movement that has never taken to violence or arms struggle in two decades of our self-determination struggle. Even though the various some regimes in Nigeria have provoked us, we have remained resolutely peaceful.

It was unfortunate that  some innocent Biafrans being passionate for the restoration of the stolen sovereignty of the Biafran Nation, thought that Simon Ekpa was genuinely sympathetic to the Biafra course. Sadly, they had to learn the hard way that he was a destructive agent paid to infiltrate and destroy the IPOB peaceful movement for Biafra self-determination.

He recruited violent criminals to destabilize the South East Region in 2021. He is a self acclaimed prime minister of a small criminally minded group called the Biafra Government in Exile (BGIE). The infamous BGIE led by Simon Ekpa created a violent group that call themselves the Biafra Liberation Army.

They have perpetuated various violent acts against the civilian populace of the Eastern Region in the name of Biafra agitation. IPOB family worldwide repudiated that violent system to achieve Biafra freedom and sovereignty severally through our numerous press statements. His (BRGIE) group and the Nigerian Army are responsible for many kidnappings, rapes, forceful disappearances, killings, and burning of homes in the South Eastern region. Undoubtedly, Simon Ekpa has claimed responsibility for the violent actions of his criminal gang.

The Simon Ekpa led group has no alliance, affiliation or relationship with IPOB family worldwide. He recruited his criminals gangs who have been terrorizing the Biafran territory since 2021. The politicians that contracted Simon Ekpa have been making strenuous efforts to tag the violent crimes of their agent on IPOB just to blackmail and demonize the genuine and peaceful Biafra self-determination struggle of the Biafran people led by the IPOB.

IPOB is by this press release calling on BBC News and Finnish Authorities to note that Simon Ekpa has never and does not have any  relationship whatsoever with IPOB in Finland or any other unit globally. He should not be associated with IPOB because IPOB does not support violent agitation that he represents. IPOB is a peaceful movement that has adopted civil disobedience to press our demand for referendum as the vehicle to achieve our goal of self determination.  No person, group, or institution should link Simon Ekpa and his group to IPOB except such person,  group,  institution, or government is part of the grand plan and conspiracy to perpetually subjugate the Biafran people to a life of servitude and misery.

Simon Ekpa has been shielded from arrest and terrorism charges against innocent Biafran civilians by the Nigerian and the Finnish governments’ diplomatic maneuvering. However, for every crime, there is a day of reckoning. On the purported arrest of Simon Ekpa, all IPOB members, Biafrans and lovers of Biafra freedom should remain calm and focused on our core objective which is the restoration of the sovereign state of Biafra”.

After serving his jail term in Finland, Simon Ekpa should be extradited to Nigeria to face justice for his role in enforcing sit-at-home orders - Former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad

Former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, says after Simon Ekpa serves his jail term in Finland, he should be extradited to Nigeria to face justice for his role in enforcing the unlawful and condemned sit-at-home orders. 

Ekpa and four others were arrested on November 21 over allegations of “public exhortation to an offence, committed with terrorist intent”. Ekpa is charged alongside four other persons on suspicion of financing a

Reacting to the news via his X handle, Bashir wrote;

‘’The arrest of Simon Ekpa in Finland for inciting violence and terrorism in Nigeria is a welcome development. Actions must always have consequences. No one should be allowed to destabilize this great country with impunity.

After serving his jail term in Finland, Simon Ekpa should be extradited to Nigeria to face justice for his numerous treasonable offences, particularly his role in enforcing the unlawful and condemned sit-at-home orders on our brothers and sisters.''

Trump announces Pam Bondi as his Attorney General pick to replace Matt Gaetz after he withdrew

Just few hours after former lawmaker Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general, Trump announced that former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is his second choice to fill that role in his administration.

Bondi, 59, was one of the lawyers who defended Trump during his first Senate impeachment trial.

"I have known Pam for many years -- She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!" Trump said in a Truth Social post.

For more than a decade, Bondi has been a key Trump supporter and has been involved in some controversies -- including the "big lie," pushed by Trump in 2020. She publicly espoused the false claim that he rightfully won the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

In 2013, the Trump Foundation sent a $25,000 donation to Bondi's fundraising committee for her attorney general reelection campaign.

Around the same time, Bondi's office had on its desk a lawsuit that probed both Trump himself and Trump University, but it ultimately did not join the suit.

Bondi and Trump both denied allegations that the donation led to her decision to not join the lawsuit, which had been filed by the New York attorney general's office.

She endorsed Trump for his presidential run and spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention, leading a "lock her up chant" against then-Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

She also served as a co-chair of Trump's reelection bid and spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2020.

Bondi was elected attorney general in 2010 and was reelected in 2014. She left the office after reaching her two-term limit in 2019.

A year later, she was selected as part of Trump's defense team for his first impeachment trial. He was acquitted in the Senate.

Again, Vandals attack Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kv Power line – TCN

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says its Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line, which is currently under repair due to previous vandalism, has again been attacked by vandals.

In a statement released by its spokesperson, Ndidi Mbah, on Friday, November 22, the TCN said the attack, which affected towers 29 to 31, resulted in the theft of approximately one-third of the conductor.

The statement said that a team of TCN engineers, led by Engr. Emmanuel Akpa, General Manager of the Port Harcourt Region, has conducted an inspection of the site.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the incident occurred at night. In an attempt to prevent further theft while repair arrangements are being made, local security has been engaged at Ula Ikata in Ahoada East LGA to secure the site until repairs are completed. Additionally, the line will be energized from the Ahoada end as a preventive measure.

Efforts to replace the stolen 250mm conductor are currently underway. Despite challenges posed by difficult terrain and flooding, the restringing of the Ahoada-Yenagoa 132kV line is approximately 85% complete,” the statement read partly.

Earlier in November, vandals also attacked transmission towers in the Okada and Ofosu Communities along the 330kV Benin-Egbin and Benin-Omotosho transmission lines. A total of 31 towers were affected in this incident.

The vandalized towers which suffered significant damage, with critical components removed, were discovered by TCN linesmen during a routine patrol.

Simon Ekpa arrested in Finland over alleged 'terrorism activities'

Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian has been arrested in Finland alongside four other individuals for alleged terror-related offenses. 

Ekpa is a seperatist agitator and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile. 

Local reports indicate that Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. 

Ekpa with Finnish authorities 

In a statement released on Thursday, November 21, the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest of five individuals suspected of terrorist activities. 

According to the police, Simon Ekpa, identified as the main suspect, was detained “on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” while the four others were apprehended “for financing a terrorist crime.” 

The police statement further revealed: “Claims will be heard in Päijät-Häme district court today, November 21.” 

It elaborated that the investigation centers on “a Finnish citizen of Nigerian background, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland by means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria.” 

Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, head of the investigation, stated: “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.” 

The four other suspects are accused of financing the activities under investigation. “All five suspects of the crime have been arrested during the beginning of the week,” the statement confirmed, adding that international cooperation has been integral to the preliminary investigation."

US embassy in Kyiv orders staff to shelter over 'significant air attack' from Putin in response to Biden allowing Ukraine to fire missiles into Russia

The US embassy in Kyiv warned staff to shelter over a 'significant air attack' from Russia after President Joe Biden allowed Ukraine to fire long-range missiles deep into Russia.

''The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received specific information of a potential significant air attack on November 20,' it said in a message on its website. 

'Out of an abundance of caution, the Embassy will be closed, and Embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place. 

The embassy urged US citizens in Kyiv to 'be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.'

 

The threat comes just days after Washington lifted the ban on Ukraine using long-range missiles supplied by the US to hit targets in Russia as Putin's forces begin to recover ground.

 

A short memo advised US citizens in the capital to monitor local media and identify shelters in case of an attack.

Ukraine is bracing for a potential strike after Biden finally gave permission for Kyiv to use its long-range missiles in Russia on Sunday, approaching 1,000 days of war.

 

The missiles have a range of 190 miles (300km) and could allow Ukraine to repel Russia long-range weapons hitherto capable of striking Ukraine without retaliation.

In anticipation of Ukraine receiving permission to use ATACMS, Russia's air force is said to have redeployed many of its fighter jets and strategic bomber aircraft away from the airbases in range of the missiles to sites further east.

The decision to concede usage came after months of gridlock in the United States and followed news North Korean troops were reinforcing Putin's lines in Russia last month.

US-supplied ATACMS missiles will be used against both Russian and North Korean troops deployed against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region, officials said.

The US said the move was intended to send a message to Russia's ally in North Korea, deploying ground troops for the first time since the end of the Korean War.

I feel your pain but we need to hear her side of the story - Nigerian activist Israel Joe addresses man whose wife got married and pregnant for another man

 

Activist, Comrade Israel Joe, has addressed the Nigerian man who accused his estranged wife of getting married to another man while still legally married to him. 

 

It is reported that one Anthony Echebiri claimed that his wife married another man and got pregnant for him after disowning their daughters. 

 

Addressing Mr Echebiri in a Facebook post on Wednesday, November 20, the activist commiserated with him but however, said that one of the principles of natural justice is hearing from the other side. 

 

“I feel your pain my dear brother, how your wife would get pregnant for another man and still get married to the man while the l two of you are still married,” he wrote. 

 

"However, we would love to hear her side of the story, in one of the twin pillars of natural justice. She might have gone to the extreme but she isn't a mad woman.

 

“Before we conclude, we would hear her side and if she doesn't come out to clear the air in the midst of this allegations, then her silent would mean concurrence.” 

 

Gunmen k!ll prominent Anambra architect four days to his mother’s burial

Gunmen have k!lled a Port Harcourt-based, Anambra-born architect, Engr. Asomba Andrew Egbuonu, four days to the burial of his late mother.  

Egbuonu, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA) d!ed on Sunday, November 17, 2024, following complications occasioned by gunshots he sustained after being attacked by gunmen near his hometown in Nnewi, Anambra State.

The General Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Chike Chamberlain Ibeanu, who confirmed the tragic incident in a statement, said Egbuonu was k!lled while finalizing arrangements for his mother’s burial slated for Thursday, November 21. 

“Distinguished colleague, it is with a painful and heavy heart that I announce the death of our brother, Arc. Asomba Andrew Egbuonu FNIA, KSJ,” the statement read.

"He d!ed on Sunday, 17th November 2024, following complications from gunshot wounds sustained after being attacked by yet-to-be-identified gunmen near our hometown of Nnewi.

"He was heading home to conclude arrangements for his mother’s burial on Thursday, 21st November 2024.

"Until his d3ath, Arc. Asomba Andrew Egbuonu FNIA was the Chair, Architectural Exhibitions and Competitions Committee of the Institute and Past Chair, NIA Rivers State Chapter. 

“Kindly say a word of prayers for the gentle repose of his soul and God's strength and comfort for the entire family in this most trying of times."

 

Lagos court sentences oil and gas association chairman to 21 years' imprisonment for N43.5m fraud

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, November 18, 2024, convicted and sentenced Fatuyi Yemi Philips, Chairman, Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, NOGASA, to 21 years imprisonment for N43.5m fraud.

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 5, 2022, arraigned Philips alongside his firm, Oceanview Oil and Gas Limited, on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N43, 502,000.00.

Count one reads: "Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September, 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N43, 502,000.00 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited under the false representation that you would sell to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870.00, a representation you knew to be false."

Count two reads: "Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September, 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole the sum of N43, 502,000.00, property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited."

He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges, thereby leading to his full trial.

In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, M.S. Owede, tendered several documentary evidence and called five witnesses to substantiate the allegations against him and his company.

The defense, on its part, called three witnesses during the trial.

Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Dada held that the prosecution proved its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubts.

Consequently, the judge sentenced Phillips to 14 years imprisonment on count one and seven years on count two, without an option of fine.

The sentences are to be served concurrently.

The Judge also ordered the second defendant, Oceanview Oil and Gas Limited, to pay a fine of N500,000( Five Hundred Thousand Naira) in respect of count one and another N250,000( Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) in respect of count two within 30 days or be wound up.

The court further ordered the convicts to make restitution in the sum of $90,202.00 or the prevailing Naira equivalent to the nominal complainants.

Phillips’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when he collected the sum of N43, 502,000.00 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited with a false promise of selling its dollar equivalent($98,870.00) to them. 

He neither returned the naira nor dollar equivalent to the petitioners. 

Canada now permits international students to work 24 hours

Canada has increased the permissible work hours for eligible international students during academic terms from 20 to 24 hours per week. 

This adjustment aims to provide greater opportunities for students to gain work experience while maintaining their focus on academics. 

Marc Miller, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister, stressed the intent behind this policy change, saying, “This change will give students more flexibility to manage their time and gain practical experience.” 

The decision builds on remarks Miller made in October 2022 when he emphasized the importance of work experience for international students. 

At the time, he stated: “With the economy growing at a faster rate than employers can hire new workers, Canada needs to look at every option so that we have the skills and workforce needed to fuel our growth. 

“Immigration will be crucial to addressing our labour shortage. By allowing international students to work more while they study, we can help ease pressing needs in many sectors across the country, while providing more opportunities for international students to gain valuable Canadian work experience and continue contributing to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity.” 

International students can now work full-time during designated academic breaks, such as summer and winter holidays. These periods allow students to increase their earnings without interfering with class schedules, bolstering their financial stability while continuing their education. 

The updated regulations permit students to work up to 24 hours per week during academic terms. This increase offers greater employment opportunities while ensuring students can maintain a sustainable study schedule. 

Designated Educational Institutions (DLIs) are now required to submit reports twice yearly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These reports will confirm students’ enrollment status and academic progress, ensuring compliance with study permit requirements and upholding the integrity of the International Student Program. 

Under the new rules, international students must obtain approval before transferring to a different DLI. This requirement ensures adherence to permit conditions and maintains academic standards across Canada’s institutions. 

In Quebec, eligible international students can work off-campus without a separate work permit, provided they meet specific criteria. Students must be enrolled full-time in post-secondary, vocational, or professional training programs, or vocational training at the secondary level. These courses must be at least six months long and lead to a recognized degree, diploma, or certificate. 

By introducing these measures, Canada aims to enhance opportunities for international students while addressing labour shortages in key sectors, ensuring a balance between work experience and academic success.