A Finnish court has ruled in favor of extraditing Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, to Nigeria. The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti approved Nigeria's longstanding request on April 18, 2025, with the transfer set for July 15.
Ekpa, who claims to be the "Prime Minister" of the self-proclaimed Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is accused of inciting unrest in southeastern Nigeria from abroad. Despite being linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by media and officials, IPOB has denied any connection to Ekpa, stating it maintains a strict non-violent stance.
An IPOB spokesperson emphasized that Ekpa operates independently, saying, "Linking him to IPOB is misleading and dangerous. His actions are not part of our struggle." Ekpa is believed to lead a fringe group known as "Autopilot," allegedly connected to a criminal network called the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA), which has been blamed for violent "sit-at-home" enforcements, kidnappings, and targeted killings in the region.
Ekpa was arrested in Finland in November 2024 after months of surveillance and faces charges including incitement, terrorism, and conspiracy. Authorities say his broadcasts from abroad triggered attacks on civilians and security personnel. Four others have been detained for allegedly funding his network.
The Nigerian government welcomed the ruling, calling it a "major step for justice" and a message to those seeking to destabilize the country from abroad. Ekpa's upcoming trial is expected to attract major global attention.
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