Finnish authorities have confirmed that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will remain in custody until his trial in May 2025. Finnish law does not allow bail for offences of the nature he is accused of committing.

Ekpa, who holds dual citizenship in Finland and Nigeria, was arrested on November 21, 2024, in Lahti, Finland. He faces charges of “spreading terrorist propaganda on social media,” which reportedly occurred in 2021. Finnish police allege that Ekpa incited violence and terrorism in Nigeria’s southeastern region through his online activities.

Speaking on the case, Mikko Laaksonen, a senior detective superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, explained that Finnish criminal procedure does not include a bail system. Instead, coercive measures like remand or travel bans are employed to restrict the movement of suspects in such cases.

The Nigerian government has been calling for Ekpa’s extradition to face charges domestically. However, Finnish authorities are proceeding with their own legal actions against him.

Ekpa’s arrest and continued detention come amid heightened tensions over separatist agitations in Nigeria. IPOB, which was declared a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government, has been linked to several violent incidents in the country’s southeast. Ekpa, a prominent figure in the group, has often used his social media platforms to promote its cause, drawing international scrutiny.

Finnish legal proceedings will determine Ekpa’s fate as he awaits trial for the alleged offences.