The District Court of Päijät-Häme has set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to file charges against Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator currently in custody in Finland.
Ekpa was arrested last Thursday by Finnish law enforcement for allegedly spreading terrorist propaganda through social media.
Ekpa, a dual citizen of Finland and Nigeria, is accused of using his online platforms to incite violence and instigate terror in Nigeria’s south-east region.
The alleged crimes were reportedly committed in 2021 in the Lahti municipality of Finland.
Following his arrest, the Finnish court ordered Ekpa’s detention, citing his involvement in promoting terrorist activities.
The Nigerian government has been pressing for his extradition to face charges in Nigeria.
Mikko Laaksonen, senior detective superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), confirmed that investigations are ongoing but withheld specific details.
“Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be disclosed,” Laaksonen said in an email to newsmen.
Laaksonen added that the next possible remand hearing could take place within two weeks if either Finnish authorities or Ekpa seek a court review of his detention status.
“In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held no earlier than two weeks from the previous hearing, should the parties in question seek for the matter to be re-evaluated by the district court,” he said.
