Finnish police have released Simon Ekpa, the pro-Biafra agitator, hours after he was arrested and questioned on Thursday, The PUNCH reports.
The police earlier arrested Ekpa in his apartment in Lahti, Finland, for a suspected crime in the country.
He was led out of his apartment by the Finish police, according to a report by Finland-based news outlet, HS.
However, in its latest report, HS says that the Finnish Central Criminal Police has confirmed Ekpa’s release on Thursday.
According to the police, its operation in Lahti and the subsequent arrest of Ekpa were connected with their ongoing preliminary investigation.
Tommi Reen from the Central Criminal Police told HS during a phone interview, “The person being questioned today is suspected of a crime. We will return to the title on Friday.”
Earlier, an official of the Finnish Embassy in Abuja who does not want to be named confirmed Ekpa’s arrest to The PUNCH.
“It is our understanding that he is currently in police custody in Finland.
“According to information available to us, the image is verified by Helsingin Sanomat, a Finnish newspaper. In it, Ekpa is seen being escorted out of his home in Lahti by plainclothes Finnish police”, the official who was not authorized to speak to the press told The PUNCH.
About Simon Ekpa.
Simon Ekpa, is a lawyer, political activist, and former athlete, who was born on March 21, 1985, in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He holds Nigerian and Finnish citizenship.
2. As an athlete, Ekpa won a silver medal for Nigeria in 100 meters in the African Junior Athletics Championships in Cameroon, in 2003.
3. He is a politician also and has lived in Lahti, Finland since 2007. Ekpa belongs to the National Coalition Party of Finland. Simon was a candidate in the 2022 Finnish county elections.
4. Ekpa became well-known after the arrest of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu when Ekpa was invited by the group to become one of the broadcasters on Radio Biafra.
He was, however never signed on as according to IPOB, Ekpa refused to take the group's oath of membership and allegiance.
5. He is suspected of instigating violence in South-Eastern Nigeria through his broadcasts and sit-at-home orders issued on social media.
Politics and Opinion.
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