Simon Ekpa has denied any involvement in the recent wave of killings across the South-East, distancing himself and his affiliated groups from the violence reported in Orsu and other communities in Imo and Anambra states.
In a statement issued by his lawyer, Jonathan Levy, Ekpa rejected allegations linking him, the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA), or the United States of Biafra (USB) to the attacks, calling them false, defamatory, and malicious. The response was triggered by a March 27 broadcast on Biafra Radio titled, “ESN/IPOB Was Never Involved in the Barbarism That Happened in Orsu and Other Communities in Imo and Anambra States—IPOB.”
According to the statement, the claims made—allegedly by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful—are a calculated attempt to discredit Ekpa, malign the group’s image, and incite public hostility against them. It stressed that neither Ekpa, the BLA, nor any official of USB has participated in or endorsed violence in the region.
“These allegations are entirely baseless and have caused serious reputational harm to Mr. Ekpa and members of his organisation,” the statement read, adding that the group is demanding an immediate retraction. It also warned that legal action could be pursued under UK and US defamation laws.
Although Ekpa has in the past issued statements and directives that have been linked to unrest in the South-East, his latest denial comes as he faces an ongoing trial in Finland over charges related to incitement and separatist activities.
