Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, is set to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays in detention in Finland, as authorities confirm his arrest on terrorism-related charges.

Mikko Laaksonen, Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, revealed that the Finnish legal system does not recognize bail for such offenses. In an email response to an inquiry, Laaksonen explained that Finnish law relies on remand or travel bans to limit the freedom of individuals suspected of serious crimes like Ekpa’s.

A court in Finland has set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to bring formal charges against Ekpa. The Biafran agitator was arrested two weeks ago along with four associates, all of whom face allegations of incitement to violence and financing terrorism. Finnish authorities claim that Ekpa used social media to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East, encouraging attacks on civilians and government officials.

Ekpa has been remanded on charges of public incitement with terrorist intent. His associates are also under investigation for their involvement in financing terrorism. Finnish officials have stated that the investigation is ongoing but have withheld further details.

Laaksonen confirmed that the investigation is still active, with no additional information being made available at this time. He mentioned that both Ekpa and Finnish authorities could request a re-evaluation of the case after two weeks, but the investigation remains shrouded in secrecy for now.
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, first gained notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, a movement that led to violent enforcement actions and civil unrest in Nigeria’s South-East. In February 2023, he was arrested for inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home orders, which further spurred public petitions calling for intervention from Finnish and Nigerian authorities, as well as the European Union.

The Nigerian government has ramped up diplomatic pressure on Finland, urging the country to take action against Ekpa. Following his arrest, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Finnish Ambassador Leena Pylvanainen, demanding greater cooperation in Ekpa’s case.

The District Court of Päijät-Häme in Finland has ordered Ekpa’s continued detention as the investigation proceeds. If convicted, Ekpa could face severe consequences for his role in inciting violence and supporting terrorism.