A Finnish court has ordered the detention of Simon Ekpa, a separatist leader accused of using social media to spread terrorist propaganda in Nigeria.
The Päijät-Häme district court remanded him in prison on Thursday, November 21, after the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested Ekpa and four others on charges linked to terrorism.
Ekpa, who claims leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and serves as the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, faces allegations of inciting crimes with terrorist intent in Nigeria.
Authorities say these activities were carried out from Lahti, Finland, as far back as 2021.
According to crime commissioner Otto Hiltunen of the Central Criminal Police, “The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland with means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The other four suspects, accused of financing terrorism, reportedly committed the offenses in August 2022, also in Lahti. They are described as being of foreign origin and born between the 1960s and 1970s.
Ekpa has faced previous investigations in Finland, including allegations of financial misconduct.
In February 2023, he was briefly detained for questioning in Lahti regarding unlawful fundraising activities.
Authorities had received several reports about his actions, prompting broader investigations into his potential involvement in other crimes.
Despite his activities, Ekpa has also been a local politician in Finland.
He has represented the National Coalition Party, serving as a deputy councilor and a member of the Lahti region’s public transport board.
From his Lahti residence, he has used social media to call for election boycotts and push for the independence of Biafra.
Police have emphasized the role of international cooperation in their investigation, with arrests taking place during the early stages of the probe. Investigations are ongoing.
KanyiDaily recalls that Finnish police arrested Simon Ekpa on suspicion of fundraising fraud in 2023, but released him later the same evening.
