A Finnish court has approved the extradition of Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, to Nigeria, where he faces serious charges including incitement, terrorism, and conspiracy.
The transfer is scheduled for July 15, 2025, following a ruling by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti on April 18, 2025.
It would be recalled that Ekpa was arrested in Lahti, Finland, in November 2024 following months of surveillance by Finnish security agencies.
Ekpa, who refers to himself as the “Prime Minister” of the self-declared Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, has been at the center of escalating violent separatist rhetoric targeting Nigeria’s southeastern region.
He has been accused of orchestrating kidnappings, and targeted killings in southeastern Nigeria from abroad.
However, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the separatist group has repeatedly distanced itself from Ekpa. “Ekpa operates independently. Linking him to IPOB is misleading and dangerous,” said an IPOB spokesperson. “His actions are not part of our struggle.”