An X (formerly Twitter) user claimed that Biafran separatist agitator and former spokesperson of the proscribed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was featured on a Finish magazine.
The user stated that Finland as a nation which fought for independence put Ekpa on the magazine cover thus insinuating that Ekpa was not a criminal as claimed.
The user said, “For those of you calling Simon Ekpa a criminal. Can a nation like Finland that fought hard for their independence put a criminal on their front cover? Igbo saboteurs shame on you.”
Verification
CDD War Room conducted a reverse image search to confirm the authenticity of the photo. We confirmed that it was authentic. We searched for the magazine online to locate its websites and social media pages. We found the social media page of the magazine and found that the name was Suomen Kuvalehti abbreviated as (SK).
We found that the magazine did put the agitator’s image as the cover of the magazine. However, it was not an applause as claimed. Instead, the magazine gave an overview of the agitator through an interview, explaining who he was and what his struggle was about.
The magazine was quoted as saying, “Simon Ekpa from Lahti has already caused a diplomatic explanation and a police investigation.
“Next he’s going to give the Declaration of Independence.
“Ekpa grew up in Ebonyi state in south east Nigeria, a former Biafra region. Every one that knew him when he was young, knew the history of Biafra. How Christian Igbos declared Biafra independent from Nigeria ruled by Islamic north in 1967
“In Finland, his idea is to learn how to make politics, so that he could sometimes export the same models to his homeland.
“A story written by journalist Aurora Rämö reveals who Ekpa is and what his role played in the struggle for Biafra independence.”
The magazine is up for sale on their website.
Suomen Kuvalehti is owned by Otava which was founded by Hannes Gebhard in 1890.
Verdict: Misleading
Simon Ekpa’s image was on the cover of SK magazine but he was not expressly praised as an epitome of independence.
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