The Finnish police have confirmed that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will remain in custody ahead of his trial, as Finnish law does not permit bail in cases like his.
Ekpa, who holds dual Nigerian and Finnish citizenship, was arrested on November 21 by Finnish authorities and was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme. He faces serious charges related to “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media” in 2021 in Lahti, Finland. Finnish authorities allege that Ekpa used online platforms to incite violence and terrorism in Nigeria’s southeastern region, which has led to the Nigerian federal government seeking his extradition for prosecution.
The charges against Ekpa stem from his role in instigating unrest and violence in the region, further fueling tensions in an already volatile part of Nigeria. In response to queries about the possibility of bail, Mikko Laaksonen, Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, clarified the country’s legal position.
In an email sent on Saturday, Laaksonen explained: “Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure.” He elaborated that in such cases, Finland uses “remand or travel ban” as coercive measures to limit the freedom of movement for individuals suspected of committing offenses.
As a result, Ekpa will remain in custody until his trial, which is scheduled to begin in May 2025. Finnish authorities have stressed that the country’s legal procedures are designed to ensure that the accused remain within jurisdiction until their cases are resolved.
