The Finland Government has set May 2025 as deadline for the trial date for Pro-Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa. Recall that Ekpa was last week arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities.
A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed to The PUNCH via email on Tuesday. He stated that the District court had set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to present possible charges against Ekpa.
IVNTVNEWS reported that the Finnish Government had last week announced the arrest of Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities. The pro-Biafran agitator was charged with incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
The Finnish police confirmed that Ekpa, allegedly used social media to promote violence in the South-East region of Nigeria. Where he targets civilians and government authorities.
According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The publication reported that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement last Thursday. It noted that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
Giving an update on the case in response to The PUNCH enquiries, detective Laaksonen noted that the investigation was ongoing. The detective insisted that no further details could be disclosed for now.
Asked when Ekpa’s case would come up in court, he replied, “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be disclosed, the PUNCH said.
“The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the District Court to May 2025,” Laaksonen said.
He, however, noted that Ekpa and the Finnish authorities may request a re-evaluation after two weeks.
“In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held no earlier than two weeks from the previous hearing. This is if the parties in question seek for the matter to be re-evaluated by the district court,” Laaksonen explained.
Recall that the case has drawn significant international attention. This is even as the Finnish authorities confirmed that cross-border cooperation is integral to the investigation.
However, officials have refrained from providing further information about the nature or extent of the international collaboration.
“International cooperation is part of the investigation due to the nature of the case. But no further comments can be given on the subject at this point,” the NBI stated.
Ekpa gained notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. A call that led to violent enforcement measures of sit-at-home orders and attacks on residents.
Recall that Ekpa was first arrested in February 2023 for inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home orders to Igbos and other South-East residents.
Following the wanton killings both of civilians and government authorities in the Southeast region, the Nigerian Government petitioned the Finnish Government. The Government also petitioned the European Union and urged them to take action on the activities of Ekpa.
To achieve the purpose for his arrest and prosecution, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen. The summon was to demand Finland’s cooperation in addressing the threats posed by Ekpa.
Therefore, last Thursday, the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered that Ekpa be imprisoned. “With probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
In arresting him, Finnish Government, accused him of inciting crimes with terrorist intent. While the other suspects face charges of financing terrorism.
source: PUNCH
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