BREAKING: Court Schedules Simon Ekpa’s Terrorism Trial for May 2025 Amid International Attention

Simon Ekpa, a key figure in the pro-Biafran movement, is scheduled to stand trial in Finland in May 2025 on charges related to terrorism, as reported by The Punch. Ekpa, who claims to be the Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was arrested along with four others last week on suspicion of engaging in terrorism, including incitement to violence and financing terrorism.

Mikko Laaksonen, a senior official at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, confirmed that the Finnish court had set a deadline for prosecutors to present their case in May 2025. Ekpa is accused of using social media platforms to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East, targeting both civilians and security forces. He faces charges of public incitement to commit terrorism-related crimes, and remains in custody, while the other suspects are charged with funding terrorism.

The case has attracted international attention, with Finnish authorities stressing the importance of cross-border collaboration in their investigation. Ekpa’s arrest follows his controversial actions, including promoting a boycott of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which resulted in violent enforcement in the South-East region. His inflammatory rhetoric has been linked to significant economic harm in the area, with reports estimating losses of over ₦4 trillion in the past two years.

The Nigerian government has expressed its intention to closely monitor the legal proceedings in Finland, seeing Ekpa’s arrest as a vital move to address the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and curb external threats to Nigeria’s security.