The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly rejected a report published by iBrandTV on September 1, 2025, under the headline “Simon Ekpa’s Conviction: How the Igbo Biafra Dream Died a Natural Death.”

In a statement issued Tuesday, IPOB described the article, authored by Marshal Bassey, as “malicious propaganda and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.” The group said the report ignored verified judicial records and was designed to weaken the spirit of Biafrans, but instead exposed “the intellectual emptiness” of its authors and sponsors.

1. Finnish Court Judgment: IPOB Not Mentioned

IPOB clarified that the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland sentenced Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for offenses including terrorism-related charges, tax fraud, and professional misconduct.

The group, however, emphasized that:

  • The court never indicted IPOB in its judgment.

  • IPOB testified under oath that Ekpa was never a member and held no official position within the movement.

  • Ekpa himself admitted under oath that he acted independently as a “content creator” and had long disassociated from IPOB.

“Had IPOB been guilty of any wrongdoing, Finland had the perfect opportunity to indict it. The Court declined to do so because no evidence exists against us. That silence is itself exoneration,” the statement read.

2. Ruling Abroad on Nigerian Political Parties

IPOB contrasted its position with that of Nigeria’s ruling parties, citing a ruling by the Canadian Immigration Appeal Division, which described the PDP and APC as terrorist organizations due to their history of political thuggery, election violence, and bloodshed.

The tribunal had stated:

“There were reasonable grounds to believe that the PDP engaged in terrorism and subversion of democratic institutions… Applicant’s membership to the PDP was sufficient…”

“This means Nigeria’s state parties carry a certified terrorist stain abroad, while IPOB remains lawful, clean, and internationally recognized,” the group asserted.

3. Warning to iBrandTV and Its Author

The movement condemned the iBrandTV report as a “paid smear job” intended to launder Nigeria’s image while defaming IPOB. It issued a stern warning to the media house and its writer, stating:

  • IPOB has never been a terrorist group.

  • It is a registered, lawful self-determination movement in Finland and other jurisdictions.

  • Any further defamation will attract lawsuits, international petitions, and reputational consequences.

4. Biafra Movement ‘Cannot Die’

IPOB reaffirmed that the Biafra struggle remains alive and anchored on the universal right to self-determination.

“The Biafra dream cannot die. It is rooted in justice and freedom. If PDP and APC—already branded as terrorist organizations abroad—continue to exist in Nigeria, then IPOB, which has passed foreign judicial scrutiny without blemish, will continue to march forward with legitimacy,” the statement concluded.