In a significant legal and diplomatic breakthrough, a Finnish court has approved the extradition of Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian national and self-proclaimed leader of a separatist group, to Nigeria.
The ruling, delivered by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti on April 18, 2025, paves the way for Ekpa’s transfer to Nigerian authorities on July 15, 2025.
Ekpa has drawn international attention for his role in stoking unrest in Nigeria’s southeast, where his group—commonly referred to as “Autopilot”—has been linked to a wave of violence, including enforced sit-at-home orders, kidnappings, and targeted killings.
Finnish investigators say his broadcasts from abroad helped incite several attacks on civilians and security personnel in Nigeria.
Although often described as a factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the organization has firmly distanced itself from Ekpa.
IPOB has consistently maintained that it operates as a non-violent movement and does not recognize any internal factions.
“Simon Ekpa is not part of IPOB. He leads a rogue group of armed criminals under a fake banner. Associating him with us is misinformation,” an IPOB spokesperson told reporters.
Ekpa was arrested in Lahti in November 2024, following a detailed investigation by Finnish security agencies.
Authorities in Finland charged him with incitement to violence and involvement in coordinated criminal activity from abroad.
Four other individuals were also detained in connection with aiding and financing his operations.
Nigerian officials have been pushing for Ekpa’s extradition since 2023, citing multiple charges including terrorism, conspiracy, and incitement.
According to a top official at Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, “This is a clear signal that there will be consequences for destabilizing Nigeria, even from afar.”
The decision to extradite Ekpa marks a rare instance of Finland agreeing to hand over a citizen outside the European Union.
Officials said the process adhered to international legal frameworks, including the Rome Statute, which both Nigeria and Finland have ratified.
