Finland government gives fresh update on new twist in Ekpa’s case

Finland government has provided update on Simon Ekpa’s terrorism-related case upon which he was arrested.

In a fresh update on Ekpa’s case, the Finland government stated that it believes Simon Ekpa got involved in activities that are related to terrorism.

The country’s National Bureau of Intelligence revealed on Tuesday that the self-proclaimed leader of the BRGIE is believed to have been involved in actions that instigate terrorism and also contribute to activities in terrorism-related organizations.

Detective Otto Hiltunen on the case on Tuesday noted that, as the group has always believed, the side effects of the Ekpa instigation activities within the terrorist group all occurred within Nigeria. Also, Detective Superintendent Otto Hiltunen added that the Finnish authorities worked hand-in-hand with the Nigerian authorities as the investigation in the case commenced.

On the other hand, in the Nigerian scene, one of the witnesses from the prosecuting side in the Nnamdi Kanu versus Federal Government case, who identified as AAA, revealed his questioning that Simon Ekpa will soon be returned to the Nigerian government to be tried for supporting Nnamdi Kanu. This same witness who works with the DSS, is reported to be in the squad that arrested Nnamdi at Lagos State back in 2022.

During his questioning at the witness stand by Kanu’s legal counsel, Chief Akabi, the witness disclosed that though he wasn’t aware of any other fan of the leader of the proscribed IPOB who had been tried for the crime of agitation for Biafra. However, he added that he knew that Ekpa had been in detention for being in support of the Biafra nation and also for instigating violence.

Recall that Ekpa, who made himself the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, was arrested and detained in November 2024 by the Finnish National Bureau of Intelligence for his controversial activities on social media. Reports stated that he was also arrested the previous year for a similar activity by the NBI, but he was later released.

In relation to his arrest, the FInland security authority has revealed that the allegation of dangerous instigation of violence was still being investigated, and they are working with Nigerian authorities on the matter. The Finnish Police also stated that President Tinubu was informed of Ekpa’s arrest, and he praised Finland for that.

Giving more details, the Finnish Police also asserted that Ekpa’s crime of instigating the public to carry out criminal activities with terrorist intention happened on the 23rd of August 2021, and the 18th of November 2024. In relation to the crime, Ekpa’s assets and funds have been made inaccessible to him by the Finnish authorities. The forty-year-old is also expected to be in court for his hearing in June.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu took it upon himself to appreciate the Finnish government for their steadfastness in the case, especially in relation to the arrest of Ekpa.

Reports revealed that the president extended his appreciation the the foreign government when he got a letter from the Finnish ambassador to Nigeria, affirming that Ekpa had been arrested and detained. During the meeting at the State House, President Tinub further asserted that no action that leads to division among the citizens would be tolerated from anyone.