The Finnish police have declared that pro-Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa will stand trial in May 2025, on allegations of alleged terrorism.
Senior Detective, Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation revealed the date as dictated by a Finnish court.
“No additional information can be released due to the ongoing investigation,” Laaksonen stated. He further shared that a re-evaluation may be requested by Ekpa and the Finnish authorities after two weeks.
“In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held not 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 added
On November 21, 2024, Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen and leader of a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was detained in Finland, along with four others.
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Ekpa has been tied to unrest in the South East, where he issued the now notorious sit-at-home order that were often implemented in a violent manner.
Also, he has utilised social media to spread secessionist propaganda, raise funds, and had claimed credit for terrorist related acts in Nigeria.
The federal government claims that his actions have led civilian deaths and considerable disturbance in the South East and had made unsuccessful attempts to extradite Ekpa back to the country to face prosecution.
In February 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Finland’s ambassador to Nigeria, expressing alarm about Ekpa’s threats to disrupt the general elections. While Finnish officials acknowledged the predicament they face ove Ekpa’s actions, they emphasised compliance with Finnish legislation, citing Ekpa’s citizenship rights.
