Simon Ekpa To Spend Christmas In Jail Over Terrorism Charges

Pro-Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities, will remain in detention through Christmas, as Finnish laws do not permit bail in such cases.

This was confirmed by Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation in an email to Punch.

Ekpa, described as the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was detained alongside four others on charges of incitement to violence and terrorism financing.

Ekpa’s arrest was sanctioned by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

Finnish publication Yle reported that Ekpa is accused of using social media to instigate violence in Nigeria’s South-East region, targeting civilians and government authorities.

The Finnish Central Criminal Police also confirmed that other suspects in the case were detained for allegedly financing terrorist activities.

Ekpa’s trial is scheduled for May 2025, further extending his detention.

When asked if Ekpa’s charges were bailable or if the prosecution was disposed to release him on bail, Laaksonen said, “Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure.

“Our procedure is based on, depending on the case, remand or travel ban as coercive measures for limiting freedom of movement for persons suspected of offences to which such measures are applicable.”