Pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities, is set to face charges in May 2025, according to Finnish authorities.
Mikko Laaksonen, a Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, confirmed on Tuesday that the district court has scheduled May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to present potential charges against Ekpa.
Last week, the Finnish government announced Ekpa’s arrest, along with four other individuals, on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
Finnish police stated that Ekpa, who claims to be the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, allegedly used social media to incite violence in the South-East region, targeting both civilians and authorities.
According to local news outlet Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement last Thursday, adding that the other suspects face allegations of financing terrorist activities.
Detective Laaksonen provided an update on the case, noting that the investigation is still ongoing, and no further details could be shared. When asked about the court schedule, he explained, “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be disclosed. The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the district court to May 2025.”
He added that Ekpa and the Finnish authorities could request a re-evaluation after two weeks. “In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held no earlier than two weeks from the previous hearing, should the parties in question seek for the matter to be re-evaluated by the district court,” Laaksonen explained.
The case has garnered significant international attention, with Finnish authorities confirming that cross-border cooperation is crucial to the investigation. However, officials have declined to provide further details on the nature or scope of this international collaboration. “International cooperation is part of the investigation due to the nature of the case but no further comments can be given on the subject at this point,” the NBI stated.
Ekpa gained notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which led to violent enforcement measures and attacks on residents. He was first arrested in February 2023 for inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home orders to Igbos and other South-East residents.
His activities prompted global petitions from Nigerians urging the Finnish and Nigerian governments, as well as the European Union, to take action. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, to demand Finland’s cooperation in addressing the threats posed by Ekpa.
Last Thursday, the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered that Ekpa be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, is accused of inciting crimes with terrorist intent, while the other suspects face charges of financing terrorism. As a prominent figure in the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), he has advocated for the controversial cause of an independent Biafran state.
His rhetoric has escalated in recent years, with explicit endorsements of violence and disruptions to Nigerian elections. Finnish authorities have linked Ekpa to coordinated attacks targeting civilians and security forces, with investigations tracing some of these activities back to 2021. His use of social media as a platform for incitement and fundraising is a central element of the case.
The sit-at-home orders enforced by the ESN (Eastern Security Network) have caused devastating economic consequences in the South-East, with reports suggesting the region has lost over ₦4 trillion in two years due to these activities and the resulting insecurity.
In light of Ekpa’s detention, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced it would monitor the legal proceedings in Finland. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa described Ekpa’s arrest as a critical step in addressing IPOB’s activities and mitigating the influence of transnational actors on Nigeria’s national security.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the arrest of Mr. Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB and also neutralising the influence of transnational actors on our national security. The ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” the statement read.
Reports also indicated that Ekpa’s X handle (@simon_ekpa) had been inactive for seven days.
Meanwhile, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, praised Ekpa’s arrest as a significant step toward curbing violence in the South-East. Abaribe, speaking on Channels Television, expressed hope that Ekpa’s detention would discourage those inciting unrest in the region.
Abaribe accused Ekpa and his followers of exploiting the Biafra agitation to perpetrate crimes, straying from the peaceful ideals of IPOB. “The arrest of Simon Ekpa is something that is very welcome because this will tell all those people at home, who are purveyors of violence and instigated by Simon Ekpa that he actually said that he is just a content creator and not a serious person,” he said.
The senator stressed that IPOB originally sought a non-violent referendum but lamented how criminals had co-opted the movement to unleash mayhem. “And what has happened is that a legitimate quest by the IPOB seeking a non-violent referendum was turned by all these kidnappers because they have found a key because, to average Igbo people, when you say Biafra, you must be doing the right thing. Whatever they say they are doing in the South-East is not supported by anybody in the South-East. All you have is a band of criminals.”
Abaribe further emphasized that security agencies often have difficulty distinguishing between criminals and those claiming to be part of the Biafran agitation, contributing to confusion and insecurity.
In response to rumors of IPOB planning to declare the Republic of Biafra on December 2, IPOB’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, called for peace and unity in the South-East. Ejiofor urged those involved in violence and false agitations to abandon their divisive actions and reassured residents that the purported declaration would not occur.
Ejiofor, describing Ekpa as a “serial fraudster,” urged individuals deceived by Ekpa’s claims to reconsider their actions. “I have always maintained that lies, deceit, fraud, treachery, and criminality have an expiration date. When the truth reaches its breaking point, it is inevitable: It is game over!”
He further stressed the need for peace, calling on the people of the South-East to reject violence and work towards reconciliation. “Freedom can never be won through such means. There’s absolutely no wisdom in cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.”
