FACT CHECK - No Finnish Court Order for Simon Ekpa’s Extradition Despite Viral Social Media Claims

 

A widely circulated claim on social media asserting that Simon Ekpa, the controversial pro-Biafra separatist, is set to be extradited from Finland to Nigeria has been proven to be false. Investigations into the origins and veracity of the reports, which surged across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok on Tuesday, revealed that no such decision has been made by any Finnish court.

The viral narrative, which was further amplified by prominent Nigerian blogs such as Instabloggja and Nigerian Stories, stated that a Finnish court in Lahti had granted the extradition request on April 18, 2025. A digitally manipulated image showing Ekpa in what appears to be a prison uniform was used to accompany the misleading posts, likely to boost credibility and engagement.

Notably, this same narrative found its way into more traditional media spaces. The Daily Times, a long-standing Nigerian newspaper with a significant following on social media, featured the supposed court ruling as its front-page headline on Wednesday. The story received added visibility when political commentator and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, shared his thoughts on the matter via his verified X account, appearing to endorse the claim.

Yet, fact-checking by CableCheck paints a very different picture.

There are no official records from Finnish legal or media sources supporting the claim that Ekpa’s extradition has been sanctioned. Comprehensive searches of both the Päijät-Häme district court’s database and Finland's national broadcaster, Yle, yielded no mention of an extradition order. The investigation instead uncovered that the claim is part of a misinformation wave that has misled both the public and some reputable media outlets.

Simon Ekpa’s legal representative, Kaarle Gummerus, denied the viral claims outright. Responding to CableCheck’s inquiry, Gummerus stated, “I can confirm to you that no decision has been taken in Finland. I have no information on the matter, so no such decision could have been taken. I wonder who is spreading such information.”

His statement was corroborated by Mikko Laaksonen, senior detective superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), who expressed similar confusion. “NBI has received similar information from different sources. However, NBI is not aware of any decisions regarding extradition that is related to the investigation in question,” Laaksonen explained.

The origin of the current controversy can be traced back to Ekpa’s arrest in Finland on November 21, 2024. Authorities apprehended him in connection with charges related to terrorism, specifically for disseminating extremist propaganda on social media. The charges date back to 2021 and are said to be linked to his activities within the Lahti municipality. Since then, he has remained in custody, following a Finnish district court ruling that deemed the offence non-bailable.

Ekpa, who holds dual citizenship in Finland and Nigeria, has long been accused by Nigerian authorities of inciting violence in the country’s south-east region. His frequent broadcasts on X and other platforms have been linked to civil unrest, attacks on public institutions, and calls for secession under the banner of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group outlawed in Nigeria.

Although Nigerian officials have repeatedly expressed their desire to have Ekpa extradited, there is currently no confirmed record of a formal request being submitted to the Finnish government. In 2024, Finnish law enforcement noted that the prosecution would not present formal charges against Ekpa until May 2025, with a court appearance scheduled for June. Until then, he is to remain in custody as investigations and preparations for trial continue.

Given the legal complexities involved in extradition between two sovereign nations—especially one involving a citizen of the host country—the road to any such transfer is long and bound by strict judicial processes. Extradition typically requires diplomatic negotiation, formal submission of evidence, and mutual legal agreement, none of which appears to have been completed in Ekpa’s case.

The swift spread of the false narrative online highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age. AI-generated imagery and click-driven content from high-traffic blog platforms contributed to the credibility of the claim for many readers, despite a lack of any supporting documentation or reliable source attribution.

Public reaction has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment in the media outlets that circulated the unverified story, while others remain skeptical of the denials. The incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility of both traditional and new media platforms to verify information before publication—especially on matters with geopolitical and legal implications.

As of now, there is no judicial order in Finland approving the extradition of Simon Ekpa to Nigeria. The story that captured widespread attention this week is not grounded in fact, but rather another example of how quickly misinformation can travel when left unchecked.