Finnish authorities have announced that pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa is set to face trial in May 2025 on charges of alleged terrorist activities.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and leader of the Autopilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was arrested on November 21, 2024, alongside four others in Finland.
The Finnish police accuse Ekpa of financing terrorism, public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, and violating the country’s Money Collection Act. Investigations suggest these activities spanned from August 2021 to November 2024 in Lahti, Finland. Authorities claim that Ekpa’s actions contributed to violence and crimes against civilians in southeastern Nigeria.
The District Court of Päijät-Häme has ordered Ekpa’s imprisonment on probable cause pending trial. Finnish authorities revealed that prosecutors have until May 2025 to present charges. Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen confirmed ongoing international cooperation in the case, though further details remain undisclosed due to the nature of the investigation.
Ekpa has been linked to insecurity in southeastern Nigeria, where he issued controversial sit-at-home orders often enforced by violence. The Nigerian government alleges that his actions have led to civilian deaths and widespread disruption in the region. Ekpa has also used social media platforms to promote secessionist agendas, solicit funds, and claim responsibility for attacks in Nigeria.
Efforts by the Nigerian government to extradite Ekpa for prosecution have been unsuccessful. In February 2023, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish ambassador, expressing concerns over Ekpa’s threats to disrupt Nigeria’s elections. While Finnish authorities acknowledged the situation, they emphasized adherence to Finnish legislation, citing Ekpa’s citizenship rights.