By Abidemi Samuel
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Finnish authorities have taken significant action against Simon Ekpa, a prominent pro-Biafra agitator, by freezing his assets and those of several other suspects linked to similar charges. The National Bureau of Investigation (KRP) has frozen the assets of Ekpa and other suspects in terrorist crimes, as well as associations and companies associated with them.
Ekpa, a Nigerian-Finnish citizen, was arrested on November 21 alongside four other individuals on suspicion of engaging in terrorist activities. Finnish police allege that Ekpa has played a role in inciting violence and committing crimes against civilians in southeastern Nigeria. Following his arrest, the District Court of Päijät-Häme ordered that Ekpa be detained, citing “probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
Ekpa is expected to face formal charges in May 2025. In addition to the charges of public incitement, Ekpa has been indicted for financing terrorism alongside the four other suspects. Finnish authorities suspect that Ekpa violated the Finnish Money Collection Act by allegedly collecting funds for terrorist purposes between August 23, 2021, and November 18, 2024, in Lahti, a town in Finland.
Ekpa leads Autopilot, a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group advocating for the independence of Biafra from southeastern and parts of southern Nigeria. The IPOB has been linked to numerous violent attacks in these regions, though it has consistently denied any involvement in such incidents.
In the wake of Ekpa’s arrest, the IPOB faction loyal to Nnamdi Kanu publicly disavowed him, asserting that he was never a member of their organization. Ekpa’s assistant, Ilkka Kopra, who is also a lawyer, noted that the pro-Biafra agitator continues to deny any wrongdoing related to the alleged terrorism charges.
Reports indicate that the police have justified Ekpa’s continued detention by arguing that his release could jeopardize the investigation, potentially allowing him to influence witnesses or continue engaging in criminal activities. Currently, he is being held at Kylmäkoski Prison in Northern Finland, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The case against Ekpa has sparked widespread attention, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Finnish authorities will proceed with the charges against Ekpa.
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