Breaking: Finnish court approves extradition of Simon Ekpa to Nigeria

April 22, 2025

By Ayinde Adeleke

A Finnish court has ruled that Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian seperatist will be extradited to Nigeria on July 15, 2025, to face terrorism charges.

The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti approved the extradition request, marking a significant diplomatic win for the Nigerian Government.

Ekpa, who claims to be the “Prime Minister” of the self-proclaimed Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, has been accused of promoting violent separatist rhetoric and allegedly leading a group linked to kidnappings, assassinations, and violent enforcement of “sit-at-home” orders in southeastern Nigeria.

However, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied any affiliation with Ekpa, describing him as a leader of his own network of criminals and kidnappers.

An IPOB spokesperson said, “We don’t understand why the Nigerian Government and media continue to tag him as a leader of a faction of IPOB.

“That is pure misinformation. Simon Ekpa runs his own network of criminals and kidnappers, and his actions do not represent our struggle.”

Ekpa was arrested in Lahti in November 2024, following a months-long investigation into his alleged use of social media to incite violence in Nigeria. Nigerian authorities have been seeking his extradition since early 2023.

A senior official from Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as “a triumph for justice and a stern warning to those who seek to destabilize Nigeria from overseas.”

Ekpa is expected to face charges including terrorism, conspiracy, incitement to violence, and crimes against the state upon his return to Nigeria.

His trial is likely to draw intense scrutiny from local and international observers, with human rights organizations monitoring the proceedings closely.