The news of the Finnish government's arraignment of Simon Ekpa, a separatist leader and self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, has taken a perplexing turn. Contrary to widespread reports of his arrest and detention by Finnish authorities, Ekpa was reportedly spotted outside in Finland on Saturday, fueling speculation and confusion.
Earlier this week, the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Ekpa's apprehension alongside four others for allegedly disseminating terrorist propaganda and inciting public crimes with terrorist intent. The Päijät-Häme District Court reportedly ordered his detention, with investigations linking the alleged crimes to events in 2021 in Lahti, Finland. The Finnish Central Criminal Police had also issued a statement confirming the arrests and their connection to suspected terrorist activities.
However, if the fresh reports of Ekpa being seen in public is true, it have cast doubt on these claims. This unexpected development has raised speculations about the authenticity of the arrest narrative and the status of the ongoing investigation.
Simon Ekpa's controversial role in championing Sit-At-Home protests in Nigeria’s Southeast region, which have disrupted economic activities and drawn widespread criticism, has kept him in the spotlight. While the Finnish authorities initially seemed firm in their actions, the latest reports are causing uncertainty about the case's proceedings and Ekpa's actual whereabouts.
As of now, neither Finnish authorities nor Ekpa’s representatives have commented on the discrepancy, leaving the public and international observers awaiting clarification.
