The Nigerian Defence Headquarters 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.
Recall that Techparley reported that he was arrested in Finland for alleged public incitement and terrorist-related activities.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, disclosed the development in a statement shared with newsmen.
He noted that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Chris Musa, is optimistic about Ekpa’s trial.
“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.
Ekpa’s arrest followed a directive by a district court in Lahti, Finland, ordering his remand on probable cause for inciting crimes with terrorist intent in southeastern Nigeria.
The offences are alleged to have occurred as far back as August 2021.
The Finnish authorities also revealed Ekpa’s past involvement in suspected financial crimes.
Crime Commissioner, Otto Hiltunen, of the Central Criminal Police commented on the case:
“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 the region of South-Eastern Nigeria. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
Helsingin Sanomat (HS) reported that five suspects, including Ekpa, were arrested during the investigation’s first phase.
While four others, born in the 1960s and 1970s and accused of financing terrorism, are believed to have committed the crimes in August 2022.
In February 2023, Ekpa was previously detained in a private apartment in Lahti over suspicions of illegal fundraising.
Although he was released after questioning, Finnish police launched further investigations into his social media activities, which allegedly fueled violence in Nigeria.
Despite being a deputy councillor affiliated with Finland’s National Coalition Party and serving on the Lahti region’s public transport board, Ekpa has reportedly used his platform to call for election boycotts and advocate for Biafran independence.
