The Finnish authorities have frozen the assets of Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Biafran separatist, in connection with allegations of terrorism-related activities.
In addition to freezing Ekpa’s personal assets, the Finnish government also targeted companies linked to him and four of his associates, who are currently in detention.
Ekpa is being held at the Kylmäkoski prison, one of Finland’s most secure and notorious correctional facilities.
Established in 1993 in the Kylmäkoski municipality, the prison is known for housing high-profile criminals.
Ekpa’s detention follows his arrest on November 21, 2024, after he was charged with spreading terrorist propaganda on social media.
A district court in Päijät-Häme remanded Ekpa following his arrest by the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), alongside four other men, for alleged terrorist offenses.
The charges stem from activities in 2021 in Lahti, where Ekpa is accused of inciting violence and encouraging terrorism in Nigeria’s southeastern region.
Ekpa, who has declared himself as the Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic Government In-Exile, is believed to have played a key role in organizing the controversial Sit-At-Home protests, which have significantly disrupted economic activities in southeastern Nigeria.
Authorities in Finland have stated that Ekpa’s offense is non-bailable, and his trial is scheduled to begin in May 2025.
