By Daily Times
In a pivotal development with far-reaching implications for regional security and international justice, Finnish authorities have approved the extradition of Simon Ekpa, the controversial Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, to Nigeria. The transfer is scheduled for July 15, 2025, following the ruling of the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti on April 18, 2025.
Ekpa, who has long styled himself as the “Prime Minister” of the self-declared Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, has been a central figure in the agitation for Biafran independence. His faction, which split from the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) after the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, is accused of stoking v!olence and unrest in Nigeria’s southeast through incendiary online broadcasts and radical directives.
The 2024 arrest of Ekpa in Lahti, Finland, marked the culmination of a months-long investigation led by Finnish authorities, who accused him of using digital platforms to incite v!olence against civilians, security operatives, and government institutions in Nigeria. He is also alleged to have orchestrated a series of v!olent “sit-at-home” orders that paralyzed economic activity in the southeastern states of Nigeria. Four alleged co-conspirators were also arrested in connection with financing and facilitating his operations from abroad.
The Nigerian government, which has persistently sought his extradition, welcomed the court’s decision as a significant win for regional stability and international cooperation. A senior official from the Ministry of Defence described the ruling as “a triumph for justice and a stern warning to those who believe they can undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria from foreign soil.”
“Ekpa has for too long fanned the flames of v!olence in the southeast, causing fear, instability, and bl00dshed,” the official added. “His extradition is not just about punishment; it is about restoring peace and holding accountable those who choose terror over dialogue.”
Finland, known for its stringent extradition standards and commitment to human rights, initially hesitated to transfer Ekpa due to legal and diplomatic constraints. Finnish law typically prohibits the extradition of its citizens outside the European Union or Nordic countries. However, the Nigerian government, working through the Ministry of Justice and international legal frameworks, submitted extensive evidence of Ekpa’s alleged violations, including documented cases of targeted åttacks and threåts to national security.
Under the provisions of the Rome Statute, to which both Nigeria and Finland are signatories, and through mutual legal assistance treaties, Finland agreed to cooperate in the extradition, ensuring all procedures adhered strictly to international human rights norms. The Finnish Ministry of Justice reiterated that the decision was made on the grounds of compelling evidence and in full compliance with due process.
Ekpa’s return to Nigeria is expected to open a high-profile legal chapter, with authorities indicating that he will be charged with terrør!sm, incitement of violence, conspiracy, and other cr!mes against the Nigerian state. Human rights observers and international diplomatic missions are also expected to monitor the proceedings closely.
Credit: Daily Times Nigeria