Finland Court orders Simon Ekpa’s remand for inciting terrorism in Nigeria

A district court in Lahti, Finland, has ordered the detention of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent in Nigeria.

The court alleges that these offenses trace back to August 23, 2021.

Ekpa, known for his separatist advocacy on social media, has been accused of promoting IPOB’s agenda, which includes the secession of southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities also claim that Ekpa’s activities have incited violence against civilians and authorities in the region.

Crime commissioner Otto Hiltunen of Finland’s Central Criminal Police stated, “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 southeastern Nigeria. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”

Related Arrests and Investigations

Ekpa’s arrest coincides with the detention of four other individuals accused of financing terrorism.

These suspects, described as foreign nationals born in the 1960s and 1970s, are believed to have committed related offenses in August 2022, also in Lahti.

This is not Ekpa’s first encounter with Finnish authorities. In February 2023, he was arrested in Lahti for alleged financial crimes linked to unlawful fundraising. He was released after questioning, but authorities continued to investigate his activities.

Political and Social Media Activities

Ekpa is a local politician in Finland, affiliated with the National Coalition Party. He has served as a deputy councilor and represented the party on Lahti’s public transport board.

Despite his political ties, he has used his platform in Finland to call for election boycotts and champion Biafra’s independence movement.

International Cooperation

Finnish authorities emphasized the role of international collaboration in the ongoing investigation, with police highlighting the cross-border nature of Ekpa’s activities.

As the case unfolds, it underscores growing scrutiny over the use of online platforms to promote separatist and extremist agendas.