Tag:

Finland

Simon Ekpa
Headlines

Finland Court Jails Simon Ekpa for Six Years Over Terrorism Charges

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A District Court in Finland has sentenced Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Government in Exile, to six years imprisonment for terrorism-related offenses.

Ekpa was arrested on November 21, 2024, by Finnish authorities following a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into allegations that he used social media to incite terrorism and promote violence. His online activities were believed to have fueled unrest in Nigeria’s South-East region.

The Päijät-Häme District Court, after reviewing the charges, ruled that Ekpa’s actions amounted to “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.” The offenses were said to have occurred between August 2021 and November 2024.

During the investigation, Finnish authorities also froze Ekpa’s assets, along with those of his associates and affiliated companies.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Terrorist Intent: Simon Ekpa, Four Others detained

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Simon Ekpa, has been arrested in Finland along with four others on terror-related charges, The Finnish-Nigerian separatist and self-proclaimed leader of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile

It was gathered that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests, citing allegations of incitement to commit crimes with terrorist intent and financing terrorism.

The arrests, carried out earlier this week, led to the suspects being remanded by the district court of Päijät-Häme. Authorities allege that Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, used social media to incite violence in southeastern Nigeria, exacerbating tensions in the region.

Crime Commissioner Otto Hiltunen, leading the investigation, emphasized the cross-border nature of the case, highlighting international cooperation in uncovering the alleged activities.

Ekpa, known for his radical activism, has a history of controversy. In 2023, Finnish police briefly detained him for suspected fundraising fraud. Globally, he has gained notoriety for advocating election boycotts and publicly endorsing violence. In one of his widely shared statements, Ekpa said, “I support violence against Nigerian government forces. This is self-defense against war crimes committed against us.”

The arrests signal a critical development in addressing allegations of international terrorism and separatist militancy, with implications for security both in the South East particularly, in Nigeria and abroad.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

United States Senate Approve Finland and Sweden For NATO

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The United States senate has voted unanimously to allow Finland and Sweden gain membership status in the defensive alliance of the North Atlantic Treaty Orgainztion (NATO). The two countries in Northern Europe which have always maintained a non-alignment policy had in May, decided to join the military organization due to threats posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In June, after the NATO Summit in Madrid Spain, Finland and Sweden’s quest was formalized by member states, a process that  must go to the Senate of member state for approvals. The US Senate voted 95 to 1 to ratify the request of both countries.

The US Senate majority leader, Senator Chuck Schumer, who invited the Ambassadors of the two countries to observe the process said, “Finland’s and Sweden’s membership will strengthen NATO even further, and is all the more urgent, given Russian aggression, given Putin’s immoral and unjustified war in Ukraine.”

The United State president, Joe Biden, who was glad at the landslide approval, said: “This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

“I look forward to signing the accession protocols and welcoming Sweden and Finland, two strong democracies with highly capable militaries, into the greatest defensive alliance in history,” the president added.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail