Self- styled Biafran Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa, 'll Be Extradited To Face Trial ---- DHQ
Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters announces plans to extradite Simon Ekpa, arrested in Finland, to face trial for alleged crimes with terrorist intent. The Chief of Defence Staff expresses support for the move.
The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, says that the self-'styled Biafran Prime Minister in Exile, Simon Ekpa, will be extradited to face trial.
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, spoke while reacting to Ekpa's arrest and detention in Finland, adding that the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with Ekpa’s arrest in Finland.
His words, “The 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.”
A district court in Lahti, Finland, had ordered the remand of Ekpa alongside four others, on probable cause for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria.
Furthermore, Ekpa was accused of using social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, that is advocating for separation of southeastern Nigeria from the country, even as the alleged offences dated back to August 23, 2021.
Finland authorities have also investigated Ekpa in the past for alleged financial crimes, including the collection of funds through questionable means.
According to the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner, Otto Hiltunen of the Central Criminal Police, CCP, “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.”
Meanwhile, the other four suspects, accused of financing terrorism, were alleged to have committed the offence in August 2022, in Lahti.
These individuals, who are of foreign background, were born in the 1960s and 1970s.
Helsingin Sanomat, HS, reports that five suspects were arrested during the first week of the investigation, with police highlighting international cooperation during the preliminary phase.
Earlier, it was reported that authorities suspect Simon Ekpa of being involved in the crime of collecting money unlawfully. In February 2023, Ekpa was arrested in a private apartment in Lahti, but later released same evening after being questioned.
At the time, police also disclosed that they had received multiple reports about Ekpa’s activities on social media. This prompted an investigation to determine whether he could be linked to other crimes.
Simon Ekpa is known in Finland as a local politician affiliated with the National Coalition Party.
He had served as a deputy councillor and represented the party on the Lahti region’s public transport board.
From his home in Lahti, he had used social media to call for election boycotts and support for Biafra’s independence efforts.
His words, “The 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.”
A district court in Lahti, Finland, had ordered the remand of Ekpa alongside four others, on probable cause for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria.
Furthermore, Ekpa was accused of using social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, that is advocating for separation of southeastern Nigeria from the country, even as the alleged offences dated back to August 23, 2021.
Finland authorities have also investigated Ekpa in the past for alleged financial crimes, including the collection of funds through questionable means.
According to the head of the investigation, Crime Commissioner, Otto Hiltunen of the Central Criminal Police, CCP, “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.”
Meanwhile, the other four suspects, accused of financing terrorism, were alleged to have committed the offence in August 2022, in Lahti.
These individuals, who are of foreign background, were born in the 1960s and 1970s.
Helsingin Sanomat, HS, reports that five suspects were arrested during the first week of the investigation, with police highlighting international cooperation during the preliminary phase.
Earlier, it was reported that authorities suspect Simon Ekpa of being involved in the crime of collecting money unlawfully. In February 2023, Ekpa was arrested in a private apartment in Lahti, but later released same evening after being questioned.
At the time, police also disclosed that they had received multiple reports about Ekpa’s activities on social media. This prompted an investigation to determine whether he could be linked to other crimes.
Simon Ekpa is known in Finland as a local politician affiliated with the National Coalition Party.
He had served as a deputy councillor and represented the party on the Lahti region’s public transport board.
From his home in Lahti, he had used social media to call for election boycotts and support for Biafra’s independence efforts.
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