Lawyer, political activist, and former athlete Simon Ekpa is of Finnish and Nigerian descent. According to allegations, Ekpa incited violence actively in southeast Nigeria.
Following Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration, Ekpa was appointed as the station’s director of Radio Biafra, a secessionist radio station.
FAMILY
Ekpa was born on March 21, 1985, and raised in Ebonyi State’s Ohaukwu Local Government Area. Simon moved to Finland at an early age to pursue his studies.
Ekpa is married and has kids. But little to nothing is known about his wife and kids since he began campaigning for Biafra.
Ekpa, his wife, and their children reside in Lahti, Finland.
EDUCATION
Ekpa attended Aberystwyth University, a university in the United Kingdom where he studied law.
CAREER
Nigerian Pro-Biafra supporter Ekpa started his career as an athlete. As a young child, he loves sports which inspired him to became a sprinter.
In 2003, Ekpa won a silver medal for Nigeria in 100 metres in the African Junior Athletics Championships in Cameroon.
However, he athletic career did not really take off. After his retirement, Ekpa studied law in Finland after relocating in 2007.
He is a member of the National Coalituon Party of Finland. In 2022, Simon was a candidate in the 2012 Finnish County Elections.
Following the detention of political activist Nnamdi Kanu, he was appointed as the lead broadcaster for Radio Biafra, which is affiliated with the separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
After a few weeks, he was fired as the organization’s lead broadcaster for violating the organization’s standards.
CONTROVERSY
Ekpa’s political activist and Biafra agitation became mainstream since the arrest of Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kalu.
However, he gains worldwide media attention in Finland, following calls for his arrest. Thousands of Nigerians across the country and in the diasporas petitioned for the Finland government to investigate his activities.
Also, Ekpa is accused of alleged incitement, violence and national disunity after ordered South-Eastern part of the country not to vote during the general elections in February 25, 2023.
His sit-at-home orders broadcast on social media is said to be responsible for the destruction of lives and properties since he announced it in the region.
Finland authorities on Thursday February 23, arrested the popular pro-Biafra separatist agitator but got release towards evening.
Following his release, Ekpa immediately took to Twitter to tweet “Simon Ekpa is here to finish what he started Live and Direct.” This caused outrage on Nigeria Twitter as people demand for his arrested without bail.
Tommie Reen from the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed Ekpa’s release. However, said Ekpa is a suspect of a crime.
NET WORTH
Ekpa has an estimated net worth of $3 million.