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Terrorism: Finnish court sets May 2025 deadline for Simon Ekpa’s trial
Pro-Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities, is scheduled to face charges in May 2025 potentially, according to Finnish authorities.
A Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, Mikko Laaksonen, confirmed to The PUNCH via email on Tuesday that the district court had set May 2025 as the deadline for prosecutors to present possible charges against Ekpa.
The Finnish government had last week announced the arrest of Ekpa alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing.
Finnish police confirmed that Ekpa, described as the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, allegedly used social media to promote violence in the South-East region, targeting civilians and authorities.
According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The publication reported that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement last Thursday, noting that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
Giving an update on the case in response to The PUNCH enquiries, detective Laaksonen noted that the investigation was ongoing, and no further details could be disclosed.
Asked when Ekpa’s case would come up in court, he replied, “Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details can be disclosed.
“The date for bringing up possible charges by the prosecution was set by the district court to May 2025.”
He noted that Ekpa and the Finnish authorities may request a re-evaluation after two weeks.
“In a basic situation regarding the remand, the next possible hearing can be held no earlier than two weeks from the previous hearing, should the parties in question seek for the matter to be re-evaluated by the district court,” Laaksonen explained.
The case has drawn significant international attention, with Finnish authorities confirming that cross-border cooperation is integral to the investigation.
However, officials have refrained from providing further information about the nature or extent of the international collaboration.
“International cooperation is part of the investigation due to the nature of the case but no further comments can be given on the subject at this point,” the NBI stated.
Ekpa gained notoriety for his calls to boycott Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which led to violent enforcement measures and attacks on residents.
He was first arrested in February 2023 for inciting violence and issuing sit-at-home orders to Igbos and other South-East residents.
The suspect’s activities prompted global petitions from Nigerians urging the Finnish and Nigerian governments, as well as the European Union, to take action.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Leena Pylvanainen, to demand Finland’s cooperation in addressing the threats posed by Ekpa.
Last Thursday, the District Court of Päijät-Häme, Finland, ordered that Ekpa be imprisoned “with probable cause on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.”
Ekpa, a Finnish citizen of Nigerian origin, was accused of inciting crimes with terrorist intent, while the other suspects face charges of financing terrorism.
As a prominent figure in the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra, he has championed a controversial call for an independent Biafran state.
His rhetoric escalated in recent years, with explicit endorsements of violence and disruptions to Nigerian elections.
Finnish authorities have linked Ekpa to coordinated attacks targeting civilians and the security forces, with investigations tracing some of these activities back to 2021.
His use of social media as a platform for incitement and fundraising is a central element of the case.
The sit-at-home orders enforced by the ESN had caused devastating economic consequences in the South-East.
According to reports, the region has lost over ₦4trn in two years due to these activities and the resulting insecurity.
On the heels of Ekpa’s detention, the Federal Government said it would monitor the legal proceedings in Finland.
In a statement by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Friday, the government described Ekpa’s arrest as a critical step in addressing IPOB’s activities and mitigating the influence of transnational actors on Nigeria’s national security.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the arrest of Mr Simon Ekpa is a significant development in addressing the activities of IPOB and also neutralising the influence of transnational actors on our national security.
“The ministry will continue to monitor the legal proceedings and provide further updates as the case progresses,” the statement read.
Checks by The PUNCH revealed that his X handle (@simon_ekpa) had been inactive for seven days.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has hailed the arrest of Ekpa in Finland as a significant step toward curbing violence in the South-East.
Abaribe, who spoke in an interview on Channels Television on Monday, expressed hope that Ekpa’s detention would discourage those instigating unrest in the region.
Abaribe accused Ekpa and his followers of exploiting the Biafra agitation to perpetrate crimes, deviating from the peaceful ideals of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
“The arrest of Simon Ekpa is something that is very welcome because this will tell all those people at home, who are purveyors of violence and instigated by Simon Ekpa that he actually said that he is just a content creator and not a serious person,” he said.
The senator stressed that IPOB originally sought a non-violent referendum but lamented how criminals have co-opted the movement to unleash mayhem.
“And what has happened is that a legitimate quest by the IPOB seeking a non-violent referendum was turned by all these kidnappers because they have found a key because, to average Igbo people, when you say Biafra, you must be doing the right thing.
“Whatever they say they are doing in the south-east is not supported by anybody in the south-east. All you have is a band of criminals.
“Also, our security agencies find it difficult to discern between a criminal and somebody who is saying he is doing agitation. So, every little thing that happens, they would say it is IPOB,” Abaribe explained.
Speaking on the purported plot by IPOB to declare the Republic of Biafra on December 2, the counsel for the group, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, called for peace and unity in the South-East, urging those involved in violence and false agitations to abandon their divisive actions.
The lawyer dismissed rumours circulating on social media about the planned Biafran declaration, reassuring that the day would pass without incident.
Ejiofor in a statement on Monday advised residents of the region to reject the baseless claims surrounding the event, emphasizing that freedom cannot be achieved through violence.
The lawyer cautioned those being misled by Ekpa, whom he described as a “serial fraudster.”
He urged individuals deceived by Ekpa’s claims to reconsider their actions and cease supporting the false narrative.
He reflected on the criticism he had faced in the past for opposing these claims, noting that time has proven him right.
“I have always maintained that lies, deceit, fraud, treachery, and criminality have an expiration date. When the truth reaches its breaking point, it is inevitable: It is game over!
“To those still clinging to the baseless December declaration, rest assured, December will come and go uneventfully.
“In the past, when fanatical claims about fighter jets and warships were peddled as obvious tools for self-aggrandizement by the serial fraudster in Finland, I warned those willing to listen that they have been swindled.
“My stance earned me severe criticism, threats, and defamation. But today, where do we stand? It is time for those who profess to have been deceived by an unrepentant serial fraudster to pause, reflect, and retreat,” he admonished.
Ejiofor further emphasized the need for peace in Igbo land, calling on the people to work towards reconciliation and avoid violence in their quest for justice.
He acknowledged the political marginalisation of the Igbo people but insisted that true liberation could only be achieved through peaceful and lawful means.
He added, “Let us restore peace in our land, so the custodians of Igbo heritage can seek ways to appease the gods for the atrocities committed against our people.
“There is indeed no gainsaying that Ndigbos are deeply marginalised in the Nigerian political setting and system, however, true struggles for the liberation of the oppressed must reject violence, fraud, criminality, and abuse as strategies.
“Freedom can never be won through such means. There’s absolutely no wisdom in cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.” (PUNCH)
A man reportedly from Uburu in Ebonyi State has been arrested in Ikpeze, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, over the alleged rape and killing of a young girl from the Onuoha family.
According to reports, the suspect allegedly raped the girl before killing her and dumping her body in a nearby bush.
The incident has sparked concern among residents, with many calling for a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the young girl’s death and ensure that justice is served.
The identity of the suspect and other details surrounding the incident have yet to be fully disclosed.
As of the time of filing this report, the Imo State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Further details are expected as investigations progress.
UPDATE: Young Woman Umuora Mmesoma, Reportedly Killed by Ex-Boyfriend in Anambra, Buried
Meanwhile, Umuora Mmesoma, a young woman reportedly killed by her former boyfriend in Uga, Anambra State, has been laid to rest.
Mmesoma was reportedly declared missing on Friday, October 16, 2026, before her body was later discovered.
According to accounts circulating on social media, her former boyfriend, identified as Chima, allegedly killed her following the end of their relationship.
The suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, claiming that he killed Mmesoma in his house, placed her body inside a bag and dumped it at another location.
Her burial has left family members, friends and loved ones mourning the tragic loss of a young life.
Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, has temporarily suspended deposits and withdrawals following a major security breach reportedly involving about $6.3 billion in digital assets.
The exchange said its preliminary investigation indicated that an attacker may have gained unauthorised access to its systems through a compromised laptop belonging to an engineer.
In a statement released on Thursday, Binance disclosed that it was working with blockchain intelligence firms, cryptocurrency issuers and law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident and recover the affected assets.
“The estimated total impact sits at around $6.3B. We have worked with blockchain partners to freeze affected assets, with $3 billion frozen on-chain so far,” the company said.
Binance explained that its initial findings suggested the attacker had compromised a DevOps engineer’s laptop, potentially enabling access to a service container through which unauthorised withdrawal transactions were submitted.
However, the exchange said it had found no evidence that private keys, which provide access to cryptocurrency wallets, had been exposed.
The company subsequently suspended deposits and withdrawals while its security team conducted checks and worked to contain the incident.
“Our teams are aware of reports of a potential security issue and are actively investigating. User funds are completely safe,” Binance said in a post on X.
North Korean Hackers Suspected
Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs has linked the incident to TraderTraitor, a cybercrime operation associated with North Korean hackers.
If the reported losses are confirmed, the incident would rank as the largest cryptocurrency theft on record, surpassing the $1.5 billion cryptocurrency theft from the Bybit exchange in 2025, which was attributed to North Korean hackers.
However, investigations into the Binance incident are ongoing, and the full circumstances surrounding the attack have yet to be conclusively established.
The incident has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of cryptocurrency platforms to cyberattacks, particularly those involving compromised employee devices and unauthorised access to internal systems.
Tether, Circle Freeze Funds
Major cryptocurrency companies have moved to limit the potential losses by freezing digital assets believed to be connected to the incident.
Tether Chief Executive Officer Paolo Ardoino said the company had frozen approximately $1.5 billion in USDT, its dollar-linked stablecoin.
Circle, the issuer of another major stablecoin, also reportedly froze about $800 million in assets amid reports of a potential security breach at Binance.
Binance said the amount of frozen funds could increase as investigators and industry partners continue tracing transactions across different blockchain networks.
The exchange is working with relevant stakeholders to identify the movement of the affected assets and prevent further transfers where possible.
Bitcoin, BNB Prices Fall
The reported security breach triggered a negative reaction in the cryptocurrency market, with major digital assets recording significant declines.
Bitcoin fell by approximately four per cent to $77,229 in the hours following reports of the incident.
BNB, the native token of the blockchain ecosystem developed by Binance, also dropped by about 7.5 per cent.
The price movements reflect investor concerns about the potential consequences of a major security incident at a leading cryptocurrency exchange.
Binance, which was established in 2017, reportedly holds approximately $140 billion in digital assets, making its security arrangements and ability to protect customer funds significant to the wider cryptocurrency industry.
CZ Says Customer Funds Should Be Covered
Binance co-founder and former chief executive, Changpeng Zhao, popularly known as CZ, also commented on the incident.
Although he stepped down from management of the exchange in 2023 following a settlement with United States authorities over anti-money-laundering compliance failures, Zhao said he expected customer funds to be protected.
As a shareholder, he expressed confidence that users would not ultimately bear the financial losses associated with the incident.
Binance has also indicated that it would cover eligible customer losses using its own resources, including its Secure Asset Fund for Users (SAFU), an emergency fund established to provide an additional layer of protection for customers.
The company’s final assessment of the losses and the extent of customer exposure will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
Polymarket Reports Separate Security Incident
The Binance incident emerged just hours after Polymarket, a popular prediction market, reported a separate security issue involving one of its third-party service providers.
Polymarket temporarily suspended trading after discovering that the provider had been compromised, potentially exposing some users to unauthorised activity involving their accounts.
The platform said it had referred the matter to law enforcement and promised to compensate affected users.
The two incidents have raised fresh questions about the security of cryptocurrency trading platforms and the risks associated with third-party technology providers.
In recent years, cryptocurrency exchanges and decentralised finance platforms have repeatedly been targeted by hackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in software, digital wallets and internal security systems.
Crypto Industry Faces Growing Security Threats
The reported Binance breach comes amid continuing concerns over cryptocurrency theft and the growing sophistication of cybercriminal operations.
According to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, North Korean-linked hackers stole approximately $2 billion in cryptocurrency in 2025, representing a 50 per cent increase from the previous year.
In another major incident, hackers reportedly stole about $280 million from the Drift cryptocurrency exchange in April.
The latest developments have highlighted the importance of stronger cybersecurity controls, effective monitoring of employee devices, rapid detection of suspicious transactions and cooperation between cryptocurrency companies and law enforcement agencies.
For Binance, the immediate priority remains containing the incident, tracing the affected funds and establishing the full extent of the losses.
The company is expected to release a detailed technical report after completing its investigation and verifying the facts surrounding the breach.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, the Islamic lesser pilgrimage, as part of a religious visit to the Kingdom.
Tinubu arrived at the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Thursday evening, where he was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Saudi head of royal protocol, Ahmad bin Thafir.
The President is expected to proceed to Makkah, the holy city where Muslims from across the world gather to perform the religious rites associated with Umrah.
According to the travel schedule, Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the pilgrimage.
Umrah is a voluntary Islamic pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time of the year, unlike Hajj, which takes place during a specific period in the Islamic calendar. The religious exercise involves a series of rites performed in Makkah and is regarded by Muslims as an opportunity for spiritual reflection, repentance and seeking Allah’s blessings.
The visit marks another religious journey by the President since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
Tinubu previously visited Makkah in November 2023, shortly after participating in the Saudi-African Summit in Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital. During that visit, he also performed Umrah and sought divine guidance for his administration and the affairs of Nigeria.
His latest trip comes as his administration continues to grapple with major national issues, including economic reforms, the cost of living, security challenges and efforts to stimulate investment and economic growth.
Although the visit is primarily religious, it also highlights the President’s continued engagement with Saudi Arabia, an important partner for Nigeria in areas such as energy, trade, investment and religious affairs.
Since taking office, Tinubu has undertaken numerous foreign trips involving bilateral meetings, multilateral summits, investment engagements and diplomatic visits across several continents.
The frequency of presidential foreign travel has also generated public discussion about the costs, benefits and outcomes of overseas engagements, particularly at a time when Nigerians are concerned about economic hardship and the need for improved living standards.
The Presidency has consistently maintained that international engagements are intended to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic relations, attract investment and advance the country’s economic and strategic interests.
Tinubu’s return next week is expected to mark the conclusion of the religious visit, after which he is expected to resume his presidential responsibilities in Nigeria.
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