By Abiola Olawale
The Finnish police have announced that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will continue to be held in custody until his upcoming trial, scheduled to begin on May 2025.
The Police announced that the decision was made based on Finland’s legal framework, which prohibits the granting of bail in cases classified under similar circumstances.
Mikko Laaksonen, a senior detective superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation noted that Ekpa was charged for allegedly instigating violence and inciting terror in Nigeria’s southeast region through online activities.
He stated: “Finnish criminal procedure/coercive measures do not recognise bail procedure.
“Our procedure is based on, depending on the case, remand or travel ban as coercive measures for limiting the freedom of movement for persons suspected of offences to which such measures are applicable.”
This means Ekpa will remain in custody as Finnish law prioritizes strict measures to ensure the accused remains within the jurisdiction for trial.
The New Diplomat reports that Ekpa, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Finland, was arrested on November 21 by Finnish law enforcement and subsequently remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme.
He faces allegations of allegedly “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media,” a crime he is accused of committing in 2021 in Lahti, Finland.
