The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has confirmed plans to extradite Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to Nigeria to face charges.
In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, expressed satisfaction with the progress of Ekpa’s case.
“CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice,” Gusau stated.
A district court in Lahti, Finland, had earlier ordered the remand of Ekpa on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent in Nigeria. The court accused Ekpa of using social media to propagate separatist propaganda linked to IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria.
Authorities allege these offences date back to August 23, 2021. Ekpa is also under investigation for alleged financial crimes, including illegally collecting funds for his activities.
Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen of Finland’s Central Criminal Police stated that Ekpa’s actions, carried out largely through social media, had incited violence against civilians and authorities in southeastern Nigeria.
This is not the first time Ekpa has faced scrutiny. In February 2023, Finnish authorities arrested him at a private apartment in Lahti. Although he was released the same day after questioning, the police received numerous reports about his activities, prompting further investigations.
Ekpa, a local politician in Finland associated with the National Coalition Party, has served as a deputy councillor and represented the party on the Lahti region’s public transport board. However, from his base in Lahti, he has reportedly used social media to call for election boycotts in Nigeria and rally support for Biafra’s independence.
The Finnish investigation also implicated four additional suspects of foreign descent, born in the 1960s and 1970s, accused of financing terrorism in August 2022. Authorities have highlighted the importance of international cooperation in these cases.
Simon Ekpa’s extradition to Nigeria, if successful, marks a significant milestone in addressing the violent repercussions of his alleged activities. The Nigerian government, in collaboration with Finnish authorities, appears determined to ensure justice prevails.
Simon Ekpa to Be Extradited to Nigeria to Face Charges — Defence Headquarters
