Terrorism probe: Finnish authorities freeze Simon Ekpa’s assets

Finnish authorities have frozen assets belonging to Simon Ekpa, controversial pro-Biafra agitator, over alleged terrorism.

On November 21, Ekpa was arrested by law enforcement in Finland. Four other men were also arrested for suspected terrorism.

The secessionist was subsequently sent to prison by the district court of Päijät-Häme for “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media”.

Ekpa was said to have committed the crime in 2021 in Lahti municipality.

He is accused of instigating violence and inciting terror in the south-east of Nigeria through his social media pages.

Nigeria’s federal government has been demanding the extradition of Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, for prosecution.

Finnish authorities had stated that Ekpa’s offence is not bailable. His trial is expected to commence in May 2025.

According to Yle, a Finnish media platform, Ekpa’s assets, and those of other suspects, have now been frozen.

The Finnish government also froze the assets of companies associated with Ekpa.

The Finnish platform also reported that Ekpa is currently being held at the Kylmäkoski Prison.

The prison was established in January 1993 in the Kylmäkoski municipality.

In February 2023,  Ekpa was arrested by police at his residence in Lahti but was released after hours of questioning.