Pro-Biafran agitator Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland on charges related to terrorism, will remain in detention throughout the Christmas period, as Finnish law does not allow for bail in such cases.
This confirmation came from Senior Detective Superintendent Mikko Laaksonen of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation in an email to Punch.
Ekpa, who is self-described as the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was detained alongside four other individuals on charges of incitement to violence and terrorism financing. His arrest was authorized by the Päijät-Häme District Court, which cited the charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
According to Finnish news outlet Yle, Ekpa is accused of using social media platforms to instigate violence in Nigeria’s South-East region, targeting both civilians and government authorities. The Finnish Central Criminal Police have also detained other individuals connected to the case, alleging that they were involved in financing terrorist activities linked to the group.
Ekpa’s trial has been scheduled for May 2025, prolonging his detention for several months. When questioned about whether Ekpa’s charges were bailable or if the prosecution was considering granting him bail, Laaksonen clarified that Finnish criminal procedure does not include a bail option for such cases. He explained, “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.”
As a result of this legal framework, Ekpa’s detention will continue through the holiday season and until the scheduled trial in May, leaving his future in legal limbo as he faces serious charges related to inciting violence and supporting terrorism.
