A Finnish court has approved the extradition of Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, to Nigeria to face charges bordering on terrorism, incitement, and conspiracy.
According to reports, the Päijät-Häme District Court in Lahti granted Nigeria’s longstanding request on Thursday, with the extradition scheduled for July 15.
Ekpa, who calls himself the “Prime Minister” of the self-declared Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was arrested in November 2024 following months of surveillance by Finnish authorities. He is accused of orchestrating unrest in Nigeria’s southeast, issuing violent sit-at-home orders, and being linked to a militant wing known as the Biafra Liberation Army (BLA).
While often associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the group has publicly distanced itself from Ekpa, stating that he operates independently and does not represent their movement.
The Nigerian government, which presented its case under the Rome Statute—ratified by both countries—hailed the court’s ruling as a win for justice and a warning to those attempting to destabilize the country from abroad. Finnish authorities maintained that the decision followed due legal process and international standards.
