- Finnish authorities confirmed that Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafran agitator, will face a district court in May 2025 over charges of inciting violence and terrorism financing
- The Finnish arrest of Simon Ekpa, linked to the Biafran separatist movement, drew global attention, with ongoing investigations and international collaboration to tackle cross-border terrorism
- The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs backed Finland’s arrest of Simon Ekpa, calling it a crucial step in addressing IPOB-related violence and external threats to national security
Pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland on charges of terrorism-related activities, is set to face a district court in May 2025, Finnish authorities confirmed.
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin and the self-proclaimed "Prime Minister" of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was arrested alongside four others on suspicion of incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
According to Mikko Laaksonen, Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the district court has scheduled May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to present charges against Ekpa.
Ekpa’s arrest follows allegations of using social media platforms to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East region. Authorities claim he promoted attacks targeting civilians and law enforcement agencies, contributing to the violent enforcement of sit-at-home orders imposed by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Finnish police remanded Ekpa in custody on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent, a decision made by the Päijät-Häme District Court.
Rep visits Nnamdi Kanu in detention, resolves access restriction to his lawyers
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the House of Reps member Obi Aguocha visited Nnamdi Kanu in detention, successfully resolving restrictions on his legal team's access to the IPOB leader.
The visit aimed to find a political solution to Kanu’s continued detention, addressing legal and health concerns raised by his lawyers.
