The legal team representing detained pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa has declared it is fully prepared to challenge the criminal case against him, insisting it will expose and dismantle what it describes as politically motivated evidence when his trial opens in Finland next week.
The assurance came from Dr. David Nyekorach-Matsanga, who identified himself as a supporting technical international law expert working with Ekpa’s defence. In a statement released on Friday, he disclosed that he held a 15-minute strategy meeting on July 31 with the lead defence lawyers, during which they concluded that the legal team was ready to proceed with the high-profile case.
According to him, formal court proceedings will commence on August 5 with a preparatory hearing involving the prosecution, the defence and the court. The session will focus on establishing the timetable, procedural framework and other legal arrangements that will govern the trial.
Nyekorach-Matsanga revealed that the three days following the preparatory hearing are expected to be conducted in camera, during which the court will examine intelligence reports, documentary evidence and other materials the prosecution intends to rely upon.
He said the defence would subject every piece of evidence to rigorous legal scrutiny, questioning its authenticity, origin, credibility and admissibility before the court.
According to Nyekorach-Matsanga, Ekpa’s lead counsel, Tommi, informed him that the proceedings would be opened to the public on August 10 after the completion of the closed-door sessions.
The international law expert alleged that some of the intelligence expected to be presented during the trial may have been influenced by political interests, maintaining that the defence would vigorously challenge any material it believes was obtained improperly or lacks credibility.
He stressed that the rule of law requires criminal cases to be decided on independently verifiable evidence rather than political narratives or unsubstantiated allegations, adding that justice can only be achieved through a fair and transparent judicial process.
Nyekorach-Matsanga further disclosed that his legal team had previously intervened to oppose what he described as any unlawful attempt to remove Ekpa from Finland through extradition or extraordinary rendition outside established legal procedures.
He expressed appreciation to individuals who provided information, legal insights and other forms of support to the defence, stating that Pan African Forum Ltd & Associates remained committed to ensuring that due process and the rule of law are upheld throughout the proceedings.
Distancing himself from the political disagreements surrounding the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other factions, Nyekorach-Matsanga emphasised that his involvement was strictly limited to legal matters.
“My role is to pursue justice,” he said, adding that if the court finds the case against Ekpa is not supported by credible evidence, the defence will seek his release. He maintained that political disputes surrounding the Biafra movement should be left to political actors, while the court focuses solely on the facts before it.
Simon Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish politician and self-acclaimed Biafra agitator, is facing criminal prosecution in Finland over allegations connected to his activities. Finnish authorities have yet to publicly disclose the full scope of the evidence expected to be presented during the trial.