Finnish authorities have frozen the assets of Simon Ekpa, a controversial pro-Biafra agitator, as part of an ongoing terrorism probe. Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, was arrested on November 21 alongside four others suspected of terrorism-related activities.
The Päijät-Häme District Court subsequently sentenced Ekpa to prison for allegedly spreading terrorist propaganda on social media. Reports indicate that the offence occurred in 2021 in the Lahti municipality. Finnish authorities allege that Ekpa used his social media platforms to incite violence and terror in Nigeria’s southeastern region.
Ekpa’s detention has garnered significant attention due to his outspoken support for the Biafra secessionist movement. The Nigerian federal government has been advocating for his extradition to face related charges in Nigeria. However, Finnish officials have stated that the nature of Ekpa’s offence makes him ineligible for bail. His trial is scheduled to commence in May 2025.
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In a sweeping crackdown, Finnish authorities also froze the assets of companies linked to Ekpa. This decisive action is seen as part of broader efforts to dismantle any financial networks tied to terrorism activities. According to the Finnish news outlet *Yle*, Ekpa is currently held at Kylmäkoski Prison, a facility established in January 1993 in the municipality of Kylmäkoski.
The case has stirred international attention, with many closely watching the legal proceedings and their implications for counter-terrorism measures in both Finland and Nigeria.
