The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has confirmed that Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will be extradited to Nigeria to face charges of incitement and other criminal allegations.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, stated that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, expressed satisfaction with Ekpa’s ongoing legal proceedings in Finland.
“General Musa is pleased with Simon Ekpa’s arrest in Finland, seeing it as a critical step toward his extradition to Nigeria, where he will face justice,” Gusau said in a press release shared with SaharaReporters.
Legal Challenges Abroad
Ekpa’s arrest followed a ruling by the District Court in Lahti, Finland, which ordered his remand on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent in Nigeria. According to the court, these activities date back to August 23, 2021.
Authorities have accused Ekpa of using his social media platforms to propagate separatist agendas linked to IPOB, a movement advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria.
Additionally, Finnish authorities have investigated Ekpa for alleged financial crimes, including illicit fundraising. Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen of Finland’s Central Criminal Police stated, “We suspect the individual promoted actions that have resulted in violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria. These activities were facilitated through social media.”
Broader Investigations and Arrests
The investigation into Ekpa’s activities also identified four other suspects accused of financing terrorism. These individuals, reportedly of foreign descent and born between the 1960s and 1970s, allegedly committed crimes in Lahti as recently as August 2022.
Reports indicate that international cooperation was pivotal in advancing the investigation. Authorities detained five suspects during the inquiry’s initial stages, emphasizing the global implications of these crimes.
Ekpa himself was previously arrested in February 2023 in Lahti. While he was released the same evening after questioning, Finnish authorities continued investigating his activities following numerous reports regarding his online content.
Ekpa’s Dual Identity: Activist and Politician
Simon Ekpa, a local politician in Finland affiliated with the National Coalition Party, has served as a deputy councillor and a member of Lahti’s public transport board. Despite his political engagement in Finland, Ekpa has actively called for election boycotts and championed the independence of Biafra from his residence in Lahti.
A Step Toward Justice
The Defence Headquarters in Nigeria views Ekpa’s pending extradition as a significant milestone in addressing crimes linked to IPOB’s separatist activities. The Nigerian government continues to work with international partners to ensure justice is served.
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