Finnish court sets May 2025 deadline for Simon Ekpa’s trial

A superior court in Finland has set a May 2025 deadline for prosecutors to file charges against self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile (BRGIE), Simon Ekpa, who was arrested last week on allegations of engaging in terrorism-related activities.

A statement issued on Tuesday by a Senior Detective Superintendent in the Finland National Bureau of Investigation,
Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed that Ekpa’s case is gradually progressing in the Päijät-Häme District Court.

Ekpa was arrested by Finland’s Central Criminal Police last Thursday along with four other individuals on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses, incitement to violence and of financing terrorist activities.

In a statement on the arrest of the Biafran agitator, police in the European country has alleged that Ekpa utilised the social media to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East region, targeting civilians and government officials.

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Giving a timeline on nature of the investigation into the case, Laaksonen, stated that the court has given a May 2025 deadline for the prosecutors to file charges against the suspects.

“Due to the ongoing investigation, no additional information can be shared. The district court has scheduled May 2025 for the prosecution to present possible charges,” Laaksonen said, adding that both Ekpa and the Finnish authorities could request a re-evaluation of the case after two weeks.

“In typical remand situations, a re-evaluation hearing can occur no earlier than two weeks from the last hearing, should the involved parties request it.

“International cooperation is part of the investigation due to the nature of the case, but no further comments can be made at this stage,” he explained.

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