The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has announced that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will be extradited to Nigeria to face charges over alleged incitement of violence and other crimes.
Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, disclosed this in a press statement, emphasizing the satisfaction of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, with recent developments regarding Ekpa’s detention in Finland.
“The Chief of Defence Staff is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope that this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice,” Gusau stated.
Ekpa’s legal troubles stem from allegations of using social media platforms to propagate separatist messages linked to IPOB, a proscribed group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria.
A district court in Päijät-Häme, Finland, recently ordered Ekpa’s remand for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The court alleged that these offences were committed as far back as August 23, 2021. Finnish authorities have also accused Ekpa of involvement in financial crimes, including the unlawful collection of funds.
Otto Hiltunen, detective chief inspector of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), revealed that Ekpa’s actions from Finland may have incited violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.
“He carries out these activities from his social media channels,” Hiltunen noted.
Ekpa, who holds dual citizenship in Nigeria and Finland, was arrested at his Lahti residence in February 2023 but was released after several hours of questioning. His activities on social media had drawn multiple complaints, prompting investigations into potential links to other crimes.
In addition to Ekpa, Finnish authorities arrested four other individuals suspected of financing terrorism in August 2022.
The suspects, reportedly born in the 1960s and 1970s, were detained as part of a broader investigation that underscored international collaboration between law enforcement agencies.
Simon Ekpa has been a controversial figure, particularly for his separatist rhetoric and calls for election boycotts in Nigeria. His actions allegedly fueled unrest in the southeastern region of the country.
In September 2021, Ekpa publicly denounced Nigeria and vowed to return a medal he won for the country at the 2003 African Junior Athletics Championships.
Despite his role as a local politician in Finland, representing the National Coalition Party as a deputy councillor, his agitation for Biafran independence has overshadowed his political career.
The Defence Headquarters in Abuja believes Ekpa’s extradition will mark a significant step toward accountability for actions that have contributed to violence and instability in Nigeria.
With Ekpa now remanded in Finland, the Nigerian government, in cooperation with Finnish authorities, is expected to expedite the extradition process.
This move aligns with broader efforts to address the activities of individuals promoting separatist agendas and disrupting national peace.
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