The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will be likely extradited to Nigeria to answer charges against him.
In a statement made available to Sahara Reporters, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, noted that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, welcomed Ekpa’s trial in Finland.
Gusau stated: “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.”
The Finland District Court in Lahti recently ordered Ekpa’s remand on probable grounds for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria.
Ekpa is accused of using social media to promote separatist propaganda linked to IPOB, which advocates for the secession of southeastern Nigeria. According to the court, these alleged offences date back to August 23, 2021.
Authorities in Finland have previously investigated Ekpa for alleged financial crimes, including the collection of funds through questionable means.
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen of the Central Criminal Police disclosed: “The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland with means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The ongoing case also involves four other suspects accused of financing terrorism, believed to have committed the crime in August 2022, also in Lahti. These suspects, born in the 1960s and 1970s, are of foreign origin.
According to reports from Helsingin Sanomat (HS), five individuals were initially arrested during the investigation, with authorities emphasizing the importance of international collaboration during the preliminary inquiry.
In February 2023, Ekpa was arrested at a private apartment in Lahti but was released the same evening after questioning. The police revealed they had received multiple complaints regarding his activities on social media, which led to investigations to determine his involvement in other crimes.
Simon Ekpa, a local politician in Finland affiliated with the National Coalition Party, has served as a deputy councillor and represented the party on the Lahti region’s public transport board. Despite his political role in Finland, Ekpa has used his base in Lahti to advocate for election boycotts and promote Biafra’s independence via social media.
