Simon Ekpa: Expert says chances of extradition to Nigeria near impossible, gives reason:
Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based Biafran separatist, is unlikely to be extradited to Nigeria, according to Vince Onyekwelu, a national security risk strategist and former British police officer. During an interview with Arise News, Onyekwelu explained that the absence of an extradition treaty between Nigeria and Finland significantly complicates any efforts to transfer Ekpa to Nigerian authorities.
Ekpa was recently arrested in Finland for allegedly promoting terrorism through social media. Finnish authorities charged him with spreading propaganda intended to incite violence in Nigeria’s South-East region. This is not Ekpa’s first encounter with law enforcement; he was previously detained in 2023 but released after questioning.
Onyekwelu emphasized that Finland acted within its legal rights, having conducted thorough investigations before making the arrest. He noted that any request for extradition will now be evaluated by European courts, and without a bilateral agreement between the two nations, a transfer to Nigeria is unlikely.
The arrest followed pressure from Nigeria’s government, which attributed Finland’s action to sustained diplomatic engagement. However, Onyekwelu’s analysis highlights the hurdles Nigeria faces in prosecuting Ekpa on its soil.
For further developments, experts recommend focusing on international legal frameworks and Nigeria’s potential collaborations with Finnish authorities to address the charges against Ekpa.
