Factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Njoku Ekpa, yesterday appeared before a Finnish court, charged with inciting terrorism.
Although Finland’s National Prosecution Authority did not mention Ekpa by name, Finnish public broadcaster YLE identified him so.
The prosecutors merely said they had charged “a Finnish individual in a case involving suspected public incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.”
The crimes were allegedly committed in the city of Lahti between 2021 and 2024 and were related to the suspect’s efforts to carve a republic of Biafra from Nigeria.
Ekpa who remains in custody denied the charges, according to the prosecutors.
The IPOB leader who also holds Finnish citizenship, branded himself prime minister of Biafra government in exile.
He was arrested with four others in November 2024. However, the authorities dropped charges against the four owing to lack of evidence.
