Finland Seizes Simon Ekpa’s Assets, Detains Him in Kylmäkoski Prison

Finnish authorities have seized Simon Ekpa’s assets and detained him in the high-security Kylmäkoski prison over alleged criminal activities, escalating his legal troubles.

Finnish authorities have frozen the assets of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Biafran activist who is currently in custody on suspicion of engaging in terrorism-related activities.

Ekpa and four alleged accomplices have been in remand for several weeks, during which the assets of companies associated with them have also been confiscated.

As reported by the Finnish newspaper Yle, Ekpa is currently detained at Kylmäkoski Prison, a maximum-security institution located on Vanhamaantie in Akaa, Finland. Established in 1993, this prison is renowned for accommodating some of the nation’s most dangerous criminals and was highlighted in the Netflix documentary series “Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons” in 2023.

Mikko Laaksonen, Senior Detective Superintendent at Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation, stated that Ekpa could stay in detention during the Christmas and New Year holidays since the Finnish legal system does not permit bail.

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Mika Ojamies, the Head of International Communications at Yle, also confirmed that Ekpa is currently being held at the Kylmäkoski facility.

Ekpa, who calls himself the “Prime Minister” of the Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile, was detained with four others roughly a month ago. He is being charged with public incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, including accusations of provoking violence and funding terrorism in Nigeria’s South-East region via social media platforms.

Kylmäkoski Prison accommodates 113 inmates, comprising both convicted criminals and those awaiting trial. It handles individuals accused or convicted of serious offenses, including violent crimes and sexual offenses. The facility has encountered challenges like the smuggling of contraband by inmates, which includes drugs such as Subutex, cocaine, amphetamines, and cell phones.

In the Netflix series, journalist Raphael Rowe drew attention to the severe conditions within the prison and spoke with a number of inmates, including infamous individuals such as Toni and Olli known for their violent pasts. A correctional officer featured in the documentary mentioned continuous challenges in controlling drug smuggling and dealing with aggressive inmates.

The actions of the Finnish authorities have garnered considerable attention due to Ekpa’s alleged activities, which remain a source of controversy in both Finland and Nigeria.