Detained Biafra activist, Simon Ekpa has denied being behind the killings in the South-East Nigeria.
Speaking through his lawyer, Mr Jonathan Levy, in a statement made available to journalists, he slammed the Biafra Radio and others over what he called defamatory publications regarding the alleged killings in Orsu and other communities in Imo and Anambra states in south-east Nigeria.
This follows a publication on Biafra Radio on March 27, 2025, titled, ‘ESN/IPOB Was Never Involved in the Barbarism That Happened in Orsu and Other Communities in Imo and Anambra States—IPOB.’
However, the USB-led by Simon Ekpa and deputised by Ngozi Orabueze said the publication contained defamatory and false information, particularly in reference to its prime minister, Ekpa, and his Biafra Liberation Army (BLA).
“The publication contains false, defamatory, and malicious statements concerning our client and its affiliates, particularly in reference to USB’s Prime Minister, Mazi Simon Ekpa, an affiliate of the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA).
“The article falsely alleges, either directly or by implication, that Mr. Ekpa, the BLA, and by extension, USB, are responsible for murder and other acts of violence in southeastern Nigeria.
“These allegations are patently false, unsubstantiated, and defamatory. Neither Mazi Simon Ekpa, the BLA defence force, nor any affiliated entity or official of the United States of Biafra has been involved in any such acts.
“Your publication, in asserting these claims without any factual foundation or due diligence, constitutes actionable libel under applicable domestic and international defamation laws both in the United Kingdom and the United States.
“The published content attributed to Emma Powerful, media and publicity self-described spokesman for IPOB, indicates infiltration of Radio Biafra as no Biafran would accuse one of their own imprisoned leaders of such treachery.
“The publication in question has caused and continues to cause significant reputational damage, threats to the safety of USB affiliates, and undermines the political and diplomatic efforts of the Biafran liberation movement.
“The article’s tone, language, and structure evidence a malicious and deliberate attempt to discredit, malign, and incite hatred against individuals and organisations legitimately engaged in political advocacy.”
The Ekpa-led group demanded immediate retraction of the said publication.
It could be recalled that Ekpa is currently being tried by the Finnish government.
