Pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa, arrested in Finland in November 2024 on terrorism-related charges, is set to face trial in a Finnish court in June 2025. Ekpa, who describes himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court on allegations of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent, primarily through his use of social media to promote violence in Nigeria’s South-East region. Finnish authorities accuse him of spreading terrorist propaganda and financing terrorism, with the alleged offenses dating back to 2021 in Lahti municipality.
Following his arrest, Ekpa was initially represented by lawyer Ilkka Kopra, who has since retired. His new legal counsel, Kaarle Gummerus, has received the pre-trial case file and confirmed that the trial will commence in June 2025. Ekpa remains in custody as the offense is considered non-bailable under Finnish law. The Nigerian government has also placed Ekpa on its sanctions list, freezing his assets alongside those of 16 others suspected of terrorism-related activities.
Despite calls from Nigerian authorities for his extradition, Finland has proceeded with its own legal process. President Bola Tinubu commended the Finnish government for its intervention, emphasizing Nigeria’s stance against divisiveness and terrorism. Ekpa’s case highlights the complex interplay between Finland’s counter-terrorism laws and diplomatic relations with Nigeria as the trial date approaches
