Simon Ekpa, a controversial Biafra separatist and self-proclaimed leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has appointed a new lawyer as he prepares for his trial in Finland scheduled for June 2025. Ekpa was arrested by Finnish authorities in November 2024 and is being detained after a district court in Päijät-Häme accused him of “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.” This alleged offense is linked to incidents in 2021 in the Lahti municipality, where he is accused of inciting violence in Nigeria’s southeast.
Despite Nigeria’s requests for his extradition to face charges there, these efforts have not been successful. Ekpa, who holds dual citizenship in Nigeria and Finland, is currently in custody because the charges against him are considered non-bailable. In 2023, authorities confirmed that the prosecution was set to file charges in May 2025. Additionally, earlier this year, Ekpa was listed by Nigeria’s sanctions committee as one of those designated as alleged financiers of terrorism. The committee has also frozen the bank accounts of individuals connected to the designation.
In related news, Nigerian President Tinubu praised Finland for Simon Ekpa’s arrest. The Nigerian government has submitted the necessary documents to extradite Ekpa, according to an army chief. Meanwhile, residents in the southeast are calling for Ekpa to be held accountable for his actions while demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu.In a recent development, Ekpa has changed lawyers after his former attorney retired. His new legal representative, Kaarle Gummerus, has acknowledged receipt of the case file and is currently reviewing it, confirming that Ekpa is set to appear in court in June 2025.