Following confirmation from Senior Detective, Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen of the Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, the District Court has set May 2025 for prosecutors to file potential charge against pro-Biafran activist, Simon Ekpa.
Simon Ekpa, who styled himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was arrested in Finland alongside four others on terrorism-related charges, incitement to violence to violence and financing terrorism.
The Finnish police claimed that Ekpa used social media platforms to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East, targeting both civilians and government authorities.
A local news outlet Yle reported that the Päijät-Häme District Court remanded Ekpa on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
This was as the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrest and stated that the other suspects were detained for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
The senior Detective confirmed that investigation is ongoing but did not give further details, adding however that the Court had set May 2025 as date by which charges would need to be filed.
Laaksonen said that both Ekpa’s legal team and the Finnish authorities could request a re-evaluation of the case after two weeks, saying that after a remand hearing, the next possible hearing could take place no earlier than two weeks in case any of the parties seek a re-evaluation by the district court.
The case has drawn significant international attention, particularly due to its cross-border nature.
The Finnish authorities have stressed the role of international cooperation in the investigation but, declined to elaborate on the specifics of foreign involvement.
A statement by the National Bureau of Investigation said that International cooperation is part of the investigation due to the nature of the case, stressing that no further comments can be provided at this point.
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, attained prominence for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which led to violent enforcement measures and attacks on civilians in the South-East region.
In February 2023, Ekpa was arrested for inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home orders to residents, which further escalated tensions.
Ekpa’s actions have led to global petitions calling for intervention from the Finnish, Nigerian, and European Union governments.
Towards this end, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador, Leena Pylvanainen to request stronger cooperation in addressing the threats posed by Ekpa.
Last Thursday, the Päijät-Häme District Court ordered Ekpa’s continued imprisonment on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent while the other suspects face charges related to financing terrorism.
As a prominent member of IPOB, Ekpa has been a vocal advocate for the creation of an independent Biafran state as his plans included calls for violence and election disruption, with investigations linking him to coordinated attacks targeting civilians and security forces dating back to 2021.
Ekpa’s call for Mondays’ sit-at-home orders, enforced by the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has caused significant economic losses in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
