Finnish Court Sets Date For Simon Ekpa’s Trial

Pro-Biafra agitator Simon Ekpa will go on trial in May 2025 for alleged terrorist actions, according to Finnish authorities.

On November 21, 2024, Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish national and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Autopilot group, was detained in Finland along with four other individuals.

Ekpa is charged by the Finnish police with financing terrorism, inciting the public to commit acts of terrorism, and breaking the nation’s Money Collection Act. According to investigations, these operations took place in Lahti, Finland, between August 2021 and November 2024. Ekpa’s acts, according to authorities, fueled violence and crimes against citizens in southeast Nigeria.

Ekpa’s incarceration on probable cause until trial has been ordered by the Päijät-Häme District Court. Prosecutors have until May 2025 to file charges, according to Finnish authorities. Although additional information is still confidential owing to the nature of the inquiry, Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen affirmed continued international collaboration in the case.

Since he issued contentious sit-at-home orders that were frequently carried out with violence, Ekpa has been connected to insecurity in southeast Nigeria. His acts, according to the Nigerian government, have caused extensive disruption in the area and the deaths of civilians. Additionally, Ekpa has claimed responsibility for attacks in Nigeria, raised money, and promoted secessionist agendas on social media.

The Nigerian government has failed in its attempts to extradite Ekpa for prosecution. Concerned about Ekpa’s threats to sabotage Nigeria’s elections, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the Finnish ambassador in February 2023. Citing Ekpa’s citizenship rights, Finnish authorities stressed adherence to Finnish statute even as they accepted the circumstance.