Simon Ekpa May Spend Christmas, New Year Break In Detention As Finland Denies Bail

Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Biafran agitator, who is facing allegations of terrorism-related activities in Finland, may remain in detention over the Christmas and New Year holidays, authorities in the country have confirmed.

Mikko Laaksonen, Senior Detective Superintendent at the Finland's National Bureau of Investigation, noted this, adding that the country’s legal system does not permit bail.

In an email to an inquiry by PUNCH where he was asked if Ekpa’s charges were bailable or if the prosecution was disposed to releasing 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.”

A court in Finland had set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to bring charges against Simon Ekpa. 

Recall that Ekpa, self-styled "Prime Minister" of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was arrested two weeks ago alongside four others on suspicion of terrorism-related offences, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.

Finnish authorities had alleged that Ekpa utilised the social media to incite violence in Nigeria's South-East region, targeting civilians and government officials.

According to local media outlet Yle, Ekpa has been remanded on charges of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent.

In a related statement, Finland’s Central Criminal Police disclosed that the other suspects in custody are accused of financing terrorist activities, further intensifying the scrutiny around Ekpa’s alleged operations.

Detective Laaksonen had confirmed the ongoing nature of the investigation, declining to disclose further details.

When asked about the timeline for Simon Ekpa’s court case, he stated, “Due to the ongoing investigation, no additional information can be shared. The district court has scheduled May 2025 for the prosecution to present possible charges.”

Laaksonen had added that both Ekpa and the Finnish authorities could request a re-evaluation of the case after two weeks.

“In typical remand situations, a re-evaluation hearing can occur no earlier than two weeks from the last hearing, should the involved parties request it,” he explained.

However, officials refrained from elaborating on the scope of this collaboration.

“International cooperation is part of the investigation due to the nature of the case, but no further comments can be made at this stage,” the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stated.

Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, became infamous for advocating a boycott of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which triggered violent enforcement actions and attacks on residents.

Arrested in February 2023 for inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home orders in Nigeria’s South-East, Ekpa’s activities prompted global petitions urging Finnish and Nigerian authorities, as well as the European Union, to intervene.

In response to Ekpa’s actions, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Finnish Ambassador Leena Pylvanainen to demand Finland’s cooperation.

The District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, had ordered Ekpa’s detention on suspicion of public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent. 

Ekpa faces charges of incitement, while his associates are accused of financing terrorism.