A Finnish court has granted Nigeria’s request to extradite Simon Ekpa, the Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, to face charges of incitement, terrorism, and conspiracy. The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti ruled in favor of the extradition on Thursday, with the handover scheduled for July 15.
Ekpa, who declares himself the “Prime Minister” of a self-proclaimed Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, has been accused of masterminding violent unrest in southeastern Nigeria from abroad. Finnish authorities arrested him in November 2024 after months of surveillance.
Though often linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the separatist group has repeatedly denied any association with Ekpa. An IPOB spokesperson stated, “Ekpa operates independently. Linking him to IPOB is misleading.” Instead, Ekpa reportedly leads a breakaway faction called “Autopilot,” allegedly tied to the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA), which Nigerian authorities blame for enforcing violent sit-at-home orders, kidnappings, and targeted killings in the region.
Nigerian officials submitted evidence under the Rome Statute—recognized by both Finland and Nigeria—to secure the extradition. Finnish authorities emphasized that the court’s decision followed due process and international legal standards.
The Nigerian government hailed the ruling as “a major step for justice” and a warning to those “seeking to destabilize the country from abroad.” Ekpa’s trial in Nigeria is expected to attract significant international attention as proceedings unfold.
