The Nigerian Defence Headquarters in Abuja has confirmed that Simon Ekpa, self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will be extradited to Nigeria to face charges against him.
In a brief press statement issued to SaharaReporters, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, stated that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, expressed satisfaction with Ekpa’s arrest and hopes this will lead to his extradition for trial in Nigeria.
Gusau remarked: “The CDS is pleased with his arrest in Finland and hopes this will pave the way for his extradition so he can face justice.”
Earlier, the district court in Lahti, Finland, had ordered Ekpa’s detention on charges of inciting terrorism-related crimes in Nigeria. He is accused of using social media to spread separatist propaganda tied to IPOB, a group seeking the secession of southeastern Nigeria. The alleged crimes date back to August 23, 2021.
In addition, Finnish authorities have investigated Ekpa for financial crimes, including illegal fundraising. Crime commissioner Otto Hiltunen of Finland’s Central Criminal Police stated, “We suspect that Ekpa has been using his efforts in Finland to incite violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria through his social media activities.”
Other suspects, charged with financing terrorism, are thought to have committed their crimes in Lahti in August 2022. These individuals, born in the 1960s and 1970s, have foreign backgrounds.
According to Helsingin Sanomat (HS), five people were arrested during the initial phase of the investigation, with authorities emphasizing international cooperation. It was also revealed that Ekpa had been under suspicion for unlawful fundraising. In February 2023, he was briefly arrested in Lahti, though he was released the same day after questioning.
At that time, police disclosed they had received multiple reports regarding Ekpa’s social media activities, prompting an investigation into potential links to other crimes.,
In Finland, Simon Ekpa is also known for his role as a local politician with the National Coalition Party, serving as a deputy councillor and representing the party on the Lahti region’s public transport board. From his home in Lahti, he has used social media to advocate for election boycotts and Biafra’s independence.
