Nigeria Faces Legal Hurdle In Bid To Extradite Simon Ekpa From Finland

Nigeria’s defence chief General Chris Musa says the country is seeking the extradition of separatist leader Simon Ekpa, who was recently arrested in Finland for terrorism-related activities. However, this is unlikely to happen because Finland, like other European Union countries, does not extradite its citizens outside the region. but with the pressure and bobbly Nigeria Government is applying it might work out for them. The Nigerian government is coordinating with the Finnish embassy in Nigeria about the prosecution of Ekpa. But Nigeria’s defence headquarters are keen on seeing him get extradited to Nigeria to face charges of terrorism, which in Ekpa’s case carries the death penalty. Ekpa, who is the leader of the Eastern Security Network – an ethnic militia – was declared wanted by the military last March for terrorism. The separatist leader had in the last couple of years ordered lockdowns in the southeast region of the country through his social media accounts. His men have reportedly violently enforced lockdowns for those daring to defy the  Sit at home order that takes place in the southeast region every Monday. Finnish authorities confirmed that Ekpa had been taken into custody and through the Nigerian Government, Finland police is demanding for order to detain him more. However, the issue of extraditing him to Nigeria is off the table, says a Finland official.

Everything has to be done according to Finnish legislation, which has very strong protections for freedom of speech

The official directed us to Finland’s laws, which stipulate that the country will not extradite its nationals outside EU member states or Nordic states. Even so, Nigeria has no extradition treaty with Finland. “The issue of an extradition treaty is very fundamental. If there is no extradition treaty between the two countries, there can be no legal basis or justification for extraditing Ekpa,” says Lagos-based lawyer Festus Ogun. But there’s a leeway for the Nigerian government. Finnish law allows for the revocation of citizenship under special circumstances on conviction of certain crimes which is highly unlikely in Ekpa’s case.

Human rights concerns

There are also concerns about Nigeria’s human rights record. Back in 2021, separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, who holds British and Nigerian nationality, was facing terrorism-related charges in Nigeria when he jumped bail, fleeing to the United Kingdom. Kanu, who leads the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was abducted while on a visit to Kenya and returned to Nigeria through extraordinary rendition, a court found. The separatist leader has remained in federal custody ever since despite calls from the leaders of the region for his release. The UK had launched an investigation into Kanu’s ordeal but has kept a neutral position. Finnish authorities said last year that they had been in touch with their Nigerian counterparts and were comparing notes. “He is a [dual] citizen as far as I know of Nigeria and Finland, and he’s therefore, protected and safe and sound in his home in Finland. But we have to consider his rights as well,” said Leena Pylvanainen, who was the Finnish ambassador to Nigeria at the time. “Everything has to be done according to Finnish legislation, which has very strong protections for freedom of speech,” she said. The evidence gathered would be instrumental in prosecuting the separatist leader. Should he be convicted in Finland, it would amount to double jeopardy for him to face a fresh set of charges in Nigeria.