Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BIRGE), will remain in detention through Christmas, following his arrest in Finland on terrorism-related charges.
Finnish authorities confirmed that Ekpa, leader of a faction of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), will not be granted bail due to the nature of the charges against him.
Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, stated that Finland’s legal framework does not allow for bail in cases involving such allegations.
“Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure,” Laaksonen explained.
“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.”
Ekpa was arrested last week by Finnish police for allegedly using social media to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East, which targeted both civilians and authorities.
He faces charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed his detention on November 21, 2024, and reported that other individuals were also arrested for allegedly funding terrorist activities.
The Päijät-Häme District Court has set a preliminary date of May 2025 to hear potential terrorism-related charges against Ekpa. Although authorities could request a re-evaluation of his detention, they have made it clear that his remand is not subject to bail.
