A Finnish court has approved the extradition of Simon Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, to Nigeria, where he faces serious charges including incitement, terrorism, and conspiracy.
The Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti granted Nigeria’s longstanding request last Thursday, with the extradition scheduled for July 15, according to reports.
Ekpa, who styles himself as the “Prime Minister” of the self-declared Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, has been accused of orchestrating unrest in southeastern Nigeria from abroad.
His arrest in November 2024 followed months of surveillance by Finnish authorities.
Though often associated in media reports with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the separatist group has repeatedly distanced itself from Ekpa.
“Ekpa operates independently. Linking him to IPOB is misleading and dangerous,” said an IPOB spokesperson. “His actions are not part of our struggle.”
Instead, Ekpa is said to lead a splinter group known as “Autopilot,” allegedly tied to a militant outfit called the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA).
Authorities claim the group is behind violent “sit-at-home” orders, kidnappings, and targeted killings in Nigeria’s southeast.
Nigerian officials presented evidence under the Rome Statute—ratified by both Finland and Nigeria—to support the extradition. Finnish authorities stressed that the court’s decision adhered to due process and international legal standards.
In a statement, the Nigerian government welcomed the ruling, calling it “a major step for justice” and a strong signal to those “who seek to destabilize the country from foreign shores.”
Ekpa’s upcoming trial in Nigeria is expected to draw global attention, with observers watching closely how the case unfolds.
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