HELSINKI, Finland — Simon Ekpa, the Finnish-Nigerian self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile, will remain in custody in Finland as he awaits trial for incitement and terror-related charges.
Finnish authorities announced that the trial is scheduled to begin in May 2025, following his arrest earlier this month alongside four suspected financiers.
The Päijät-Häme District Court has provided prosecutors until May to formally lodge charges against Ekpa, who is accused of inciting violence with terrorist intent in Lahti, Finland, in 2021.
“Due to the ongoing investigation, no additional information can be disclosed,” said Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Finnish officials also underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation in the case but declined to specify the extent of international collaboration.
Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, has drawn international attention as a vocal advocate for Biafran independence.
His arrest has been viewed as a significant development in addressing the influence of transnational actors on Nigerian security concerns.
The Nigerian government, which has proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a terrorist organisation, has expressed approval of Ekpa’s detention.
Officials in Abuja believe the case could serve as a turning point in addressing the separatist movement’s activities, which they claim have exacerbated instability in Nigeria’s southeastern region.
Following Ekpa’s arrest, the leadership of the Biafra Government in Exile has transitioned to Ngozi Orabueze, a practising nurse based in Atlanta, United States.
Orabueze, who previously served as Ekpa’s Chief of Staff, is now overseeing the movement’s operations.
Orabueze, a former chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Atlanta, has pledged to continue the organisation’s activities during Ekpa’s absence.
Ekpa’s case has raised broader questions about the legal challenges of addressing political activism that crosses international borders.
The NBI has confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and Finnish law allows for remand hearings at two-week intervals if requested by the parties involved.
With a trial date set and the investigation continuing, international observers are closely monitoring developments, as the outcome could have far-reaching implications for global counter-terrorism efforts and the handling of separatist movements.
Ekpa’s trial is expected to be a focal point for both Finnish and Nigerian authorities as they navigate the complexities of transnational law enforcement and political activism.
